Russian airstrikes in Aleppo have created a fresh wave of 100,000 Syrian refugees, according to the president of the European Council, Donald Tusk who also warned that Europe is undergoing "truly extraordinary times that require extraordinary measures, extraordinary sacrifices, and extraordinary solidarity" as a result of the continent's refugee crisis.

Tusk made the comments as he addressed the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Tuesday. He described Europe's refugee crisis as one of the biggest challenges the continent has seen for decades, warning that it has "the potential to destroy achievements such as border-free travel between Schengen countries" as well as the "potential to create tectonic changes in the European political landscape".

Tusk said that the situation will worsen as a result of Russia's decision to launch airstrikes against ground targets in Syria, which began at the end of September. The majority of the strikes have been in areas held by groups opposed to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, including fighters backed by Washington and its allies, rather than those occupied by the militant group ISIS. Russia's involvement has been heavily condemned by NATO, who have called on the country to stop its attacks on the Syrian opposition and civilians.

"Unfortunately, the situation will get even worse as I warned this chamber in my last intervention," Tusk told the parliament. "I mean, for example, the new wave of refugees from Aleppo and the regions of Russian bombing attacks in Syria, which has created more than 100,000 new refugees."
http://europe.newsweek.com/russian-airstirkes-have-created-100000-new-refugees-eus-tusk-335579