Russian President Vladimir Putin held a telephone conversation with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, the Kremlin press service reported.

"During the phone conversation with President of the Syrian Arab Republic Bashar al-Assad, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his sincere condolences in connection with the consequences of the earthquake in northern Syria, which caused numerous human casualties, and offered to provide the Syrian side the necessary assistance in dealing with the consequences of the disaster," the statement said.

Assad accepted Putin's offer of assistance to Syria to eliminate the consequences of the earthquake, and Russian Emergencies Ministry rescuers will fly to Syria in the next few hours, the Kremlin reported.

Through appropriate channels, the Russian side also informed the Turkish leadership of its readiness to immediately provide assistance. Vladimir Putin will speak with Turkish President Erdogan on the matter on Monday.