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UK attacks Russian support for Syria regime after US airstrikes

The UK government has attacked Russia's role in alliance with the Syria regime as international tensions continue in the aftermath of the suspected chemical attack and retaliatory US airstrikes.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has pulled out of a visit to Moscow saying "we deplore Russia's continued defence of the Assad regime".

Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon has said Russia is responsible for "every civilian death" in Bashar Assad's suspected sarin attack on his own people.

US President Donald Trump has meanwhile written to both chambers of Congress justifying his decision to launch the retaliation strikes.

US senator John McCain has told ITV News the US and its allies must add momentum to Mr Trump's intervention by working to force President Assad out.

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Nine Syrian planes destroyed by US strike on airfield

There was "significant damage" to a Syrian airfield caused by US airstrikes overnight, according to reports - including the destruction of nine planes.

The Shayrat Airfield in Syria was targeted in a US airstrike Credit: DoD News

Russia's Ria News Agency cited a Syrian airbase worker's comments on the attack on the Shayrat Airfield in Syria.

It came as Russian TV reported that nine planes were destroyed at the time of the hit. All planes are thought to have been out of action at the time.

Images said to have been taken at the Shayrat Airfield showed craters and rubble alongside what appeared to be an aircraft hanger in ruins. The runway, however, is said to have almost completely escaped damage.

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