Russian Rescuers Head to Syria, Turkey after Devastating Earthquakes

Russian President Vladimir Putin offered Moscow’s aid to Syria after Monday’s devastating earthquake, the Kremlin press service said after Putin’s phone call with his Syrian counterpart Bashar Assad.

"Putin expressed sincere condolences over the consequences of the earthquake in northern Syria resulting in numerous human casualties and offered assistance to the Syrian side," the stamen read.

Earlier, Putin sent telegrams of condolences to Assad and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

"President Assad thanked the Russian leadership for this initiative, noting that such a position by Russia reflects the depth of relations between the two countries and peoples and is a continuation of all that Russia has provided to Syria in their joint fight against terrorism," Assad's office said in a statement published on its Telegram channel.

In a telephone conversation with Erdoğan, Putin confirmed Russia's readiness to assist Turkey in eliminating the consequences of earthquakes, according to the Kremlin’s press service.

"Putin confirmed Russia’s readiness to immediately furnish assistance to the Turkish partners in eliminating the consequences of this natural disaster," the statement reads.

Russia's specific proposals "have already been transmitted to the Turkish side through the appropriate channels."

Erdoğan thanked Putin "for such a prompt and sincere response and said that he was instructing the authorities concerned to accept the Russian rescuers’ assistance."