Russia suspends consular operations in Aleppo

(CNN) —The Russian Consulate General in Syria’s largest city has suspended operations, according to Russia’s state-run RIA Novosti news agency.

“The operations of the Russian Federation’s Consulate General in Aleppo have been suspended,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement, the news agency reported. “Regarding all issues, contact the consular department of the Russian Embassy in Damascus.”

Russia has refused to support U.N. sanctions against Syria, its longtime ally.

Located in northwest Syria, Aleppo has been torn by months of fighting between government forces and rebel groups, who control much of the city, where electricity and food have been in short supply.

Two blasts at Aleppo University killed at least 82 people Tuesday, Syria’s U.N. ambassador, Bashar Jaafari, told the U.N. Security Council. Another 162 students were wounded in the “cowardly terrorist act,” he said.

Referring to the rebels, state-run media blamed “terrorists” for the explosions, which occurred on the first day of exams at the school.

But regime warplanes shelled the university, said Free Syria Army spokesman Abdulla Yasin. The rebels were nowhere near the campus, which is in a government-controlled area, he said.

In addition to housing students, the university dormitories — which bore the brunt of Tuesday’s attack — are serving as temporary homes to families displaced by fighting in Aleppo, Homs and Hama.

Across Aleppo, 99 deaths were counted Tuesday, the opposition Local Coordination Committees of Syria said.

CNN cannot independently verify many claims from Syria, as the government has severely restricted access by international journalists.