The grave of Russian special forces officer Maxim Sorochenko killed in Syria in November 2015, is seen at a cemetery outside Moscow, Russia, December 27, 2016. Picture taken December 27, 2016. Maria Tsvetkova
Reuters: Exclusive: Russian losses in Syria jump in 2017, Reuters estimates show
BELORECHENSK, Russia (Reuters) - Ten Russian servicemen have been killed fighting in Syria so far this year, according to statements from the Defence Ministry.
But based on accounts from families and friends of the dead and local officials, Reuters estimates the actual death toll among Russian soldiers and private contractors was at least 40.
That tally over seven months exceeds the 36 Russian armed personnel and contractors estimated by Reuters to have been killed in Syria over the previous 15 months, indicating a significant rise in the rate of battlefield losses as the country's involvement deepens.
Most of the deaths reported by Reuters have been confirmed by more than one person, including those who knew the deceased or local officials. In nine cases, Reuters corroborated a death reported in local or social media with another source.
Read more ....
Update #1: Russian Losses In Syria Four Times Higher Than Official Count — Reuters (Moscow Times)
Update #2: Factbox: Russia's mounting deaths in Syria (Reuters)
WNU Editor: There is probably some truth that there are volunteers there .... Kremlin: Russian private citizens fighting for Syria's Assad are volunteers (Reuters), but the use of military contractors (and not reporting their deaths officially) is unfortunately a method that the Kremlin has embraced.
1 comment:
They did the same thing in the Donbas fighting, VICE had a good story on this , I believe last year. Simon Otrovsky ( I think that is his last name) traveled all over Russia showing graves of soldiers who died there. Russia of course denied it and he was chased off at least one of the cemeteries.
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