First , there is no ISIS in Aleppo city . They control some territory in the province though . They are not involved in the siege because they are not there . Second , civilian lives and infrastructure is protected . Doesn ' t matter if Assad or the Russians order them to evacuate and establish a closed war zonewhatever that is . If civilians are present then belligerents MUST act accordingly . Discrimination between civilian and military targets must be done and the attacks must be proportional . Nobody gets to say oh well the civilians didn ' t leave when we told them , so now we can do whatever we want and its their fault for dying . How does that kind of logic protect civilians ? It doesn ' t . It excuses war crimes by armies . That ' s why that logic is unacceptable . There is no declared war between the two countries . Hence it being called a frozen conflict that heats up frequently . Hence Kiev calling it a anti terrorist operation . Its a war between Kiev and Moscow , but its undeclared for reasons . Who thinks the EU is at war with Russia ? Why do you love to shit on Ukraine ? Its weird . Finally , who cares how I write a number . 250 thousand , a quarter million , . 25 million , and two hundred fifty thousand . What ' s the point of accusing me of participating in mental gymnastics for writing a number one way and not another .