"During the 'humanitarian pause' fighters from armed groups continued attacking the positions of the government forces in the areas of Hazrama and Nashabia settlements and after 1 pm went on the offensive in other directions too," the ministry said in a statement.

"These actions were accompanied by intensive artillery fire and small arms fire."

Moscow also accused fighters of firing mortar shells at a humanitarian corridor in the area between Harasta and Douma. "Mines exploded 500 metres from a checkpoint," the statement said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday ordered a daily "pause" from 9 am to 2 pm to evacuate civilians from the rebel-held enclave of Eastern Ghouta, outside Damascus, following a UN Security Council weekend vote to approve a 30-day truce.

The United Nations said earlier Tuesday that fighting has raged on in the area making relief operations impossible.