Russia Slams US Call to Bar Syria-Bound Tankers

The Russian military is lashing out at Washington over its call on other nations to deny port access to Russian oil tankers heading to Syria.

Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said Thursday that the U.S. statement represented an attempt to hamper Russia's effort to "fight international terrorism in Syria."

U.S. State Department spokesman Mark Toner said Wednesday in response to inquiries that countries in the region should not support any Russian tanker ships carrying fuel to be used in airstrikes on civilians.

Konashenkov said the U.S. call was intended to "conceal the failures of the U.S. policy" in Syria, saying Russia has achieved much more with its air campaign in Syria than the U.S.-led coalition fighting the Islamic State group.

Russia is a close ally of Syrian President Bashar Assad, and has struck Syrian rebels as well as extremist groups since launching its air campaign more than a year ago.