Phony Reports of Numerous Russians Killed in Syria
by Stephen Lendman (stephenlendman.org - Home - Stephen Lendman)
A previous article discussed the issue, explaining US-led warplanes terror-bombed Syrian and allied forces in Deir Ezzor - after they repelled an attack by so-called Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), comprised of Kurdish YPG fighters and Arab terrorists, including ISIS.
On Wednesday, Russia’s Foreign Ministry said “(r)eports of hundreds (or) dozens of (Russian) fatalities in Syria disseminated by some Western media outlets are classic misinformation,” using “anonymous sources.”
On Thursday, Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova debunked Western media reports about numerous Russian military personnel killed in Syria, saying:
“Anti-government (terrorists) were one of the first to have launched this rumor through their media channels” - jumped on and featured in US-led Western media disinformation reports.
“The reports on the deaths of dozens, hundreds, of Russians is classic disinformation.”
“Preliminary data show the armed confrontation, the reasons of which are currently being investigated, could have resulted in deaths of five people, presumably Russian citizens.”
“There are also injured people, but all this requires verification - in particular, first of all, their citizenship - whether they are all citizens of Russia or other countries.”
“I would like to stress once again that we are not talking about Russian servicemen presumably Russian citizens.”
“There are a large number of citizens from all regions of the world, including Russia and CIS countries, in the conflict zones.”
“The purposes for their stay in war zones are different, including participation in hostilities.”
Some Western and other foreign media reports claimed up to 600 Russians were killed, anonymous sources cited, lacking credibility.
Phony audio recordings alleged mass Russian casualties, including from the Russian telegram channel WarGonzo, airing conversations among alleged Russian private military contractors, no verification provided.
These type reports have no credibility. Claims about mass Russian casualties should be taken with a grain of salt. They’re fake news, not mistakes resulting from the fog of war.
They aim to anger Russian citizens at home, hoping to turn them against Putin and Russian involvement in combating terrorism in Syria.
Though unsuccessful, expect more of the same ahead. US-led anti-Russia propaganda is relentless.
A Final Comment
Separately, Zakharova explained US forces continue to “occupy a 55-kilometer area near Al-Tanf” illegally.
It’s an area giving ISIS and other anti-government terrorists safe haven and direction for future assaults on Syrian forces and civilians.
“The Americans conducted defiant actions on the eastern bank of the Euphrates River, where they came close to an open confrontation with the Syrian army seeking to support their Kurdish allies,” Zakharova added.
They’re angering Turkey by “sending arms convoys” to YPG Kurdish fighters.
Hours before meeting with Erdogan in Ankara, Rex Tillerson lied, saying “(w)e have never given heavy arms to the YPG so there is none to take back.”
Days earlier, the Pentagon requested $300 million to train and equip YPG Kurds and other so-called Syrian Democratic Forces - heavily comprised of anti-government terrorists.
On Thursday, “Syrian air defenses have repelled Israeli surveillance planes over Quneitra, forcing them to leave Syrian airspace,” according to the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA).
In recent days, US and Israeli aggression escalated things in Syria more than already - dangerous moves, threatening greater war.
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