US-BACKED strikes killed scores of
Russian soldiers who were attempted to attack an American base in eastern
Syria last week.
The shock claim comes from a US official who reported the deadliest confrontation between the former foes since the Cold War, with the death toll is estimated at about 100, with 200 to 300 injured.
Most of those who died in the failed attack on the base held by US and US-backed forces in Deir Ezzor, east of Euphrates River, are thought to be Russian soldiers fighting on behalf of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad.
US Colonel Thomas F Veale, a military spokesman, said: “Coalition officials were in regular communication with Russian counterparts before, during and after the thwarted, unprovoked attack.
“Russian officials assured coalition officials they would not engage coalition forces in the vicinity.”According to Colonel Veale, rounds were fired, “supported by artillery, tanks, multiple-launch rocket systems and mortars”.
Russia’s military has denied involvement with the attack, however, a number of families have reported losing ones in the conflict.And a statement from Russia's Conflict Intelligence Team (CIT) has named at least four Russian citizens allegedly killed by US forces.
The report said: “We can only reliably speak of the deaths of five individuals, whose names are established, their death in Syria is confirmed by relatives.”
However, CIT added: “The numbers circulating the internet of between 200 and 600 who died seem seriously overestimated.”
Among the dead are Vladimir Loginov, 52, from Russia’s Kaliningrad, Muscovite Kirill Ananyev, Stanislav Matyevev and Igor Kosoturov of the Sverdlosk region and Ryazan resident Alexei Ladygin
A Baltic site said of Mr Loginov: “He died heroically, defending our homeland. He was a caring father, a loving husband and a brave Cossack.
“Our sympathies go out to his widow and daughters.”
The government in Damascus has lashed out at the US attack, calling it “barbaric aggression” and a “war crime”.
According to one mercenary commander, the death toll, which is still rising, is greater than Russia’s total official losses since it entered the war in 2015.
Vladimir Frolov, a former Russian diplomat, said the clash signalled the first armed conflict between the two nations since the Vietnam War.
He said: “This is a big scandal and a reason for an acute international crisis. “
