Russia grounds planes as cease-fire in Syria takes effect

Russia servicemen attend to a plane in Syria. — (Image credit: Paul Gypteau/AFP/Getty Images)

Russia has grounded its warplanes in Syria in observance of a temporary "cessation of hostilities" brokered in conjunction with the U.S., which took effect Friday night. A top Russian military official explained the decision to ground the planes by saying Russia wanted to "avoid any possible mistakes," Haaretz reports.

The cease-fire, which excludes areas of the country controlled by ISIS, is seen as a stepping stone to U.N.-brokered peace talks. Despite the fact that the Syrian government, the opposition, and nearly 100 rebel groups agreed to the cease-fire, officials are skeptical of its chances of success.

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Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.