The number of victims of "Russian" raids in Al-Gouta increased to 25 civilians

Eyewitnesses and independent observers in Syria have reported at least 25 civilians killed in what is believed to be Russian raids on two areas near the Syrian capital Damascus.

Forty others were reported to have been wounded in raids by aircraft on the eastern Ghouta, one of the last pockets of opposition gunmen on the outskirts of Damascus.

The British Observatory for Human Rights, based in Britain, said 11 women and three children were among the dead.

The victims were taken to a hospital in Douma, where the agency's correspondent saw women and children arriving there.

A source at the hospital said the wounded included two women in the 20s.

Meanwhile, the Russian Defense Ministry said that Islamic militants killed two Russian soldiers in an artillery attack on an air base on New Year's Eve.

The ministry denied reports that seven Russian planes had been destroyed as a result of the attack.