Syrian regime forces kept up their assault on opposition-held eastern Aleppo after a divided UN Security Council failed to agree on a truce to save the city, AFP reported Monday (October 10th).

Regime forces and their allies were advancing street by street in the eastern sector.

"Clashes on the ground as well as fierce airstrikes went on all night and are continuing Sunday, especially in the Sheikh Said district," said Syrian Observatory for Human Rights head Rami Abdel Rahman.

The latest advances aim to clear the way for "a crucial and decisive land offensive", said Syria's pro-regime Al-Watan newspaper.

Airstrikes and artillery fire by the regime and its allies have killed 290 people, including 57 children, since the September 22nd launch of operations in Aleppo, the Observatory said, adding that 50 civilians, including nine children, also have died in opposition bombardment of regime-controlled western districts.

On Saturday at the UN, Russia vetoed a French-drafted resolution demanding an end to the bombing of Aleppo.

It was the fifth time Russia used its veto to block UN action on the war in Syria.

Shortly after Russia's veto, the Security Council rejected a rival draft presented by Moscow that called for a ceasefire but did not mention a halt in airstrikes.

Meanwhile, Russian news agencies on Monday quoted deputy defence minister Nikolai Pankov as saying Russia was poised to transform its naval facility in the Syrian port city of Tartus into a permanent base.