A United Nations Security Council (UNSC) condemnation proposed by the United Kingdom on Aleppo attacks was blocked by Russia, one of the five permanent members of the council.
The UK strongly slammed Russia for blocking a UNSC statement that would condemn the Syrian military offensive in opposition-held areas of Aleppo.
A statement condemning Assad's brutality in Aleppo was circulated to representatives of UNSC member states.
Russian Ambassador to the UN Vitaly Churkin reportedly dismissed the proposal, branding it a “propaganda coup" during an emergency meeting of the 15-member council on Wednesday.
According to an AFP report, British Ambassador Matthew Rycroft said Russia's veto against the statement “speaks volumes about their support for and protection of the Assad regime."
Despite an ongoing ceasefire in Syria that includes the city of Aleppo, Assad's Russian-backed military forces have intensified airstrikes on civilians in the areas controlled by moderate opposition fighters.
Regime attacks have killed more than 280 civilians in the last 12 days as civilian casualties are increasing daily.
On Wednesday, deadly airstrikes on a refugee camp inside Syria close to the Turkish border killed at least 80 people and injured hundreds.
"It is really high time for every member of the Security Council to use every last drop of influence on the Assad regime to get them to respect the cessation of hostilities and every other obligation under international humanitarian law," said Rycroft.
The UK-prepared statement also condemned the latest regime attack on Al-Quds Hospital, the last remaining hospital in the city, which killed dozens of people, including doctors and patients.
