MOSCOW: A Russian general was killed while battling Islamic State group militants near the eastern Syrian city of Deir Ezzor, Moscow´s defence ministry said Sunday.
"Division general Valeri Assapov was killed when a shell exploded during shelling by IS fighters," the ministry was quoted as saying by local media, adding that the officer was serving as an advisor to Syrian government troops.
The ministry said Assapov would be posthumously decorated for his service.
Deir Ezzor province, on Syria´s eastern border with Iraq, is rich with oil and gas fields that served as a key revenue stream for IS at the peak of its power.
Russia intervened in support of the Damascus government in September 2015 and has been assisting regime forces in an assault on Deir Ezzor from the west.
-
Hong Kong court sentences media tycoon Jimmy Lai to 20-years: Full list of charges explained -
Trump passes verdict on Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show -
Blac Chyna reveals her new approach to love, healing after recent heartbreak -
Melissa Jon Hart explains rare reason behind not revisting old roles -
Japan elects Takaichi as first woman Prime Minister after sweeping vote -
'We were deceived': Noam Chomsky's wife regrets Epstein association -
Martha Stewart on surviving rigorous times amid upcoming memoir release -
18-month old on life-saving medication returned to ICE detention