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Fight against Islamic state

Kremlin says no comment on alleged Russian military participation in Syria ground battles

The Kremlin spokesman was asked to comment on reports published by the Islamic State terrorist group claiming Russian military were allegedly fighting in the battles near the historic city of Palmyra

A Russian serviceman training at the Hmeimim base in Syria (archive) Valery Sharifulin/TASS

A Russian serviceman training at the Hmeimim base in Syria (archive)

© Valery Sharifulin/TASS

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Russian warplanes supported Syrian forces in operation to free Palmyra — General Staff

MOSCOW, March 18. /TASS/. The Kremlin has refused to comment on the number of fallen Russian servicemen in an anti-terrorism operation in Syria and alleged participation of Russian troops in battles near Palmyra.

"I recommend that you ask the defense ministry [about this]," presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters responding to a question on the number of Russian servicemen killed in Syria.

Peskov reminded that at Thursday’s meeting with servicemen who took part in the operation President Vladimir Putin named four officers who died in the country. "Their names are known, he gave no other names," Peskov said.

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The journalists asked Peskov to comment on reports published by the gunmen of the Islamic State terrorist group claiming that Russian military were allegedly fighting in the battles near the historic city of Palmyra.

"The offensive is carried out by Syria’s armed forces," Peskov said. "The operation of Russia’s Aerospace Forces allowed Syria’s armed forces to significantly strengthen and now they can continue the offensive," he said.

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Inside Russian airbase in Syria

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Foreign policy Islamic State

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