INSURGENTS in the east of the Syrian city of Aleppo have mined humanitarian corridors to stop civilians escaping, Russia’s Defence Ministry said yesterday.

Russian Defence Ministry spokesman Major General Igor Konashenkov said: “Militants are blocking any attempts by the population to leave the city through the especially set-up corridors.

“Mines have been planted in all streets adjacent to them,” he said. “Government forces see civilians trying to approach the humanitarian corridors killed by landmines every day.”