The Syrian envoy to the United Nations has condemned what he said is endemic ‘fake news’ reporting around the current battle for Aleppo - but undermined his argument by using a photograph from Iraq to show what he said is the current situation in the Syrian city.

During an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council in New York on Tuesday to discuss action on the escalating humanitarian crisis in Aleppo, Bashar Jaafari described the operation which has left hundreds dead as a “liberation.”

“The actions we've taken in Aleppo have had the overarching goal of protecting civilians. Allow me at this stage show you some photos that I have. This is what the Syrian army is doing in Aleppo,” Mr Jaafari said, holding up a picture he said was of a soldier helping an elderly woman leave the last rebel enclaves in east Aleppo.

It was quickly noticed, however, that the picture was actually of a member of the Iraqi Shia militia known as the Popular Mobilisation Forces, helping a civilian after the city of Fallujah was freed from Isis in June.

It had been widely published by Arabic-language news outlets at the time.

Russian Envoy Vitaly Churkin echoed Mr Jaafari's sentiments, saying that the “atrocities” reportedly being perpetrated in Aleppo were faked by opposition forces, whom the Syrian government regards as terrorists. Activists intent on deceiving western media covered children in dust and claimed they were bombing victims, he said.

Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Show all 12 1 /12 Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War A man crosses a street in Aleppo, December 12, 2009 Reuters Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War A vendor sits inside an antique shop in al-Jdeideh neighbourhood, in the Old City of Aleppo, December 12, 2009 Reuters Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War A view shows part of Aleppo's historic citadel, overlooking Aleppo city, Syria Reuters Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War A view shows part of Aleppo's historic citadel, Syria Reuters Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Visitors walk inside Aleppo's Umayyad mosque, Syria Reuters Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War People walk inside the Khan al-Shounah market, in the Old City of Aleppo, Syria Reuters Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War A man walks past shops in al-Jdeideh neighbourhood, in the Old City of Aleppo, Syria Reuters Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War People walk along an alley in al-Jdeideh neighbourhood, in the Old City of Aleppo, Syria Reuters Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Visitors tour Aleppo's historic citadel, Syria December 11, 2009 Reuters Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War A general view shows the Old City of Aleppo as seen from Aleppo's historic citadel, Syria December 11, 2009 Reuters Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War People walk near Aleppo's Bab al-Faraj Clock Tower, Syria October 6, 2010 Reuters Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War A man stands inside Aleppo's historic citadel, overlooking Aleppo city, Syria December 11, 2009 Reuters

Rebel-held east Aleppo, already bought to its knees by months of Russian-backed bombing, is on the brink of total collapse after a last-minute ceasefire deal broke down on Wednesday morning.

The Syrian army and allied militias is in control of all but tiny pockets of the city after huge advances on Monday and Tuesday.

Human rights monitors reported “slaughter” on the ground as pro-government forces advanced. At least 82 civilians - among them women and children - were shot in their homes by Iraqi militias, several sources have said.