Moscow considers the suggestions to ‘direct’ the IS militants from Mosul to Syria as counterproductive. According to the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova it's a crime. "Such proposals are an outright hypocrisy that undermine the bases of uncompromising struggle against terrorism coordinated within the framework of the relevant UN Security Council’s systematic resolutions," she said. Zakharova noted that Russia supports the efforts of the Iraqi leadership in the fight against the IS, preserving sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country. " However, in case of implementing huge military operations in the city, where still half a million people remains, it is important to take measures to protect them and help those who want to leave the city.”