Moscow claims 'external forces' seeking to escalate violence in Syria

Statement comes as Ukrainian intelligence says Russia will send mercenaries to support flagging troops allied to Damascus Moscow has condemned "external forces" seeking to escalate violence in Syria, despite reports from Ukrainian military intelligence that Russia is to send mercenaries to support flagging troops allied to Damascus. The Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova blamed outside actors for instigating a recent sweeping insurgent offensive, after Islamist militants spear...