Russian military advisers killed in US-led jets raid

The US-led coalition purportedly fighting Takfiri terrorist groups has pounded the positions of Russian military advisers in the Eastern Syrian Province of Deir ez-Zor, killing and injuring a number of them, a video footage obtained by Tasnim news agency shows.

According to the exclusive footage released by the Tasnim on Sunday, the airstrikes targeted the Russians’ positions and convoys near the area of Khsham in Deir ez-Zor on the eastern banks of the Euphrates River.

A number of the military advisers as well as local tribal fighters were killed and injured during the raids.

Earlier, Russian Defense Ministry had said the Russian military advisers were not present in the area in Deir ez-Zor when it was hit by the US-led coalition warplanes.

However, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova confirmed the fatalities on February 15, saying that only five people, "presumably Russian citizens," had been killed, "as a result of the armed conflict, the reasons for which are being clarified."

 She indicated that Moscow was still seeking verification of the information.

"I want to stress once again that we are not talking about Russian servicemen," Zakharova said, without any clarification as to who the Russian nationals were or what they were doing in northern Syria.

The footage shows dead bodies of Russian advisers lying on the ground.

ME