Russia gives ICRC $1 million for Syria

MOSCOW, April 6 (UPI) -- Russia's Foreign Ministry says it has donated about $1 million to the International Committee of the Red Cross' humanitarian mission in Syria.

"During the entire crisis in Syria, Russia has been supporting the ICRC's active efforts in providing humanitarian assistance to the civilian population," the ministry said in a statement Friday.

Syria is in the third year of a civil war between forces loyal to President Bashar Assad and those who would like to see him out of power. About 70,000 people have been killed in the conflict, RIA Novosti reported.

Russia and China have refused to approve United Nations sanctions against Assad.