Syrian and Russian warplanes again pounded rebel-held east Aleppo ahead of a UN Security Council meeting to discuss the worst surge in violence to hit the devastated city in years. Residents and a monitor reported heavy air raids overnight and early today on the besieged east of the city. The UN Security Council was due to meet later in an emergency session to discuss the escalating violence. The Syrian observatory for human rights said at least 115 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in Syrian and Russian bombardment of eastern Aleppo since the army on Thursday announced an operation to take it.