The United Nations has asked Russia to explain how it uses data on the location of Syrian hospitals following a string of attacks on health facilities.

Speaking at UN Security Council, Under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs Mark Lowcock said over twenty-three hospitals have been hit by strikes since Russia-backed Syrian forces launched an offensive in Idlib region.

Meanwhile, denying the bombing campaign targeted hospitals in Idlib region, Russia maintains that the military operation is aimed at driving out terrorists from the region, which is covered by a de-escalation agreement reached last year between Russia, Iran and Turkey.