Russia appears to be "letting the Syrian rebels overthrow" President Bashar al-Assad according to Richard Grenell, who served as acting director of National Intelligence for a time during Donald Trump 's first administration.

Syria’s antigovernment forces claimed a stunning advance into Aleppo, in a setback for the government in Damascus and its allies Russia and Iran.

Russia has launched air strikes on parts of Aleppo - Syria's second largest city It comes as rebel forces have launched the largest offensive against the government in years earlier this week The surprise offensive prompted the first Russian strikes on the city since 2016,