Russian lieutenant-general killed in ISIS shelling near Deir Ezzor , Syria
Russia’s Lt. Gen. Asapov, who helped Syrian forces during the operation to lift the blockade of Deir ez-Zor, died as a result of Daesh shelling, the Russian Defense Ministry said Sunday.
Lt. Gen. Valery Asapov died after sustaining a “fatal injury” in the “sudden Daesh mortar shelling,” the ministry said.
“Lt. Gen. Valery Asapov died in the Syrian Arab Republic as a result of the Daesh shelling,” the statement said.
The ministry specified that Asapov was a member of the group of Russian military advisers providing Syrian commanders with the assistance during the operation aimed at the liberation of the city of Deir ez-Zor.
According to the ministry, the deceased serviceman would recieve state award posthumously.
In early September, the Syrian government troops, backed by Russian airstrikes, broke three years-long Daesh blockade to the west and south of Deir ez-Zor.
On Monday, the Syrian Army crossed the Euphrates River with the support of the Russian Aerospace Forces near Deir ez-Zor, knocking militants out from a number of settlements, and are currently developing an offensive eastward.
sputnik