(MENAFN- Arab News) MOSCOW: Russia on Wednesday rejected allegations by rights group Amnesty International that Moscow's strikes in Syria have caused massive civilian casualties saying its report was made up of 'cliches and fakes.'

'We examined this report' Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov told a briefing. 'Once again there was nothing concrete or new that was published only cliches and fakes that we have already repeatedly exposed.'
'Amnesty International is confidently arguing that there were no military targets or militants in the areas that were allegedly hit with Russian strikes but they cannot know this and have no way of checking' said Konashenkov.
The London-based rights group on Wednesday issued a damning report which said that Russian raids have killed hundreds of civilians since start of the campaign on Sept. 30 many in targeted strikes which could constitute war crimes.
It said there was evidence suggesting Russia uses internationally-banned cluster bombs in its strikes while Russian authorities may have covered up civilian damage to a mosque and a hospital.
Konashenkov said the report raised empty allegations 'without any sort of proof' and relied on the wrong sources.
'Even in the preface of the report it says that all the listed facts have been researched long-distance with information received from telephone questioning of local so-called rights activists' he said. He said the report says Russian strikes targeted a hospital 'while saying that witnesses did not see or hear a plane.'
Russia started its campaign of airstrikes against militants in Syria on Sept. 30 saying it wanted to help the Kremlin's main Middle East ally Syrian President Bashar Assad defeat Daesh and other militant groups. It has repeatedly and forcefully denied targeting civilians saying it takes great care to avoid bombing residential areas.