Australia shares the grave concerns of the US that Russian aircraft have been targeting opponents of Syria's Assad regime and not Islamic State.
Defence Minister Marise Payne said US Secretary of State John Kerry had declared it would be a matter of grave concern if those air strikes were not directed at IS.
"We would share those concerns, particularly if this was not a strike targeted at ISIL".
"We would share those concerns, particularly if this was not a strike targeted at ISIL," she told reporters in Sydney.
Russia has steadily increased its military presence in Syria, a longtime ally. On Wednesday it conducted its first air strikes, insisting it was targeting Islamic State forces.
Reports from Syria indicate the Russian strikes were directed at anti-regime forces and caused civilian casualties.
Senator Payne said she hoped Russia would join the US-led coalition in launching a focused attack on IS.
"That's what we would encourage Russia to do," she said.
US defence secretary Ash Carter said they would work with Russia to "deconflict" air operations over Syria.
So far aircraft from nine coalition nations, including Australia, have bombed IS targets inside Syria in carefully coordinated missions.
Australia's Wedgetail airborne early warning and control aircraft have also been used.
Senator Payne said engagement with Russia's ambassador in Canberra would be a matter for Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, who was now in New York attending the UN general assembly.
Share
