Silence about hundreds of killed Russian mercenaries

What actually happened and why are both Moscow and Washington silent about the events?

(Source: AP/SITA)

Apparently, hundreds of armed men and dozens of pieces of heavy armor were destroyed in eastern Syria during an evening attack on the Kurds on February 7 and 8. But who were those men?

Shortly after the massacre, news started to emerge on Russian sites, suggesting that most of those killed were not part of Assad´s forces, nor Iranians, but Russian mercenaries employed by private military company (PMC) Vagner. It is assumed that the core of Vagner's men are members of the Russian special forces Specnaz.

SkryťTurn off ads
Article continues after video advertisement
SkryťTurn off ads
Article continues after video advertisement

SkryťTurn off ads

What actually happened and why are both Moscow and Washington silent about the events? The answer to the second question is simple: after repeatedly declaring victory and withdrawal of Russia from Syria, the Kremlin cannot admit to a massacre of Russian citizens without recognizing that both the victory as well as the withdrawal are pure fantasy and the "small victorious war in Syria” is transforming into a new Afghanistan. That is the last thing Putin needs one month before the election. Even if the result of the election is secured by the elimination of his key competitor, the Kremlin needs to appear to have mass support and legitimacy.

The Americans, for their part, showed what they can do and do not need to escalate the situation through media reports on the event.

SkryťTurn off ads

To answer what really happened is, in the absence of any official information, more challenging. Consequently, it took several days to compose a picture of the events from the fragmented pieces.

The rest of this article is premium content at Spectator.sk
Subscribe now for full access

I already have subscription - Sign in

Subscription provides you with:
  • Immediate access to all locked articles (premium content) on Spectator.sk
  • Special weekly news summary + an audio recording with a weekly news summary to listen to at your convenience (received on a weekly basis directly to your e-mail)
  • PDF version of the latest issue of our newspaper, The Slovak Spectator, emailed directly to you
  • Access to all premium content on Sme.sk and Korzar.sk

Top stories

Cycling routes can be found all around Bratislava.

Weekend: Dust off your bike and cycle along the Morava

Bike rides, creating your own art, the history of Book Month and more.


24. mar
Volkswagen will make all-electric versions of the Porsche Cayenne luxury SUV.

News Digest: Volkswagen Slovakia to produce all-electric luxury SUV

LGBT+ minority could face new difficulties, a suspect is charged in the Daniel Tupý murder case.


24. mar
Filip Toška holding chard in the hydroponic Hausnatura farm.

How a Mayan doomsday prophecy took a Slovak to hi-tech agriculture

Hydroponic farm run out of former telephone exchange.


9. mar
University student Daniel Tupý was murdered in November 2005 in Bratislava.

NAKA charges suspect in Daniel Tupý murder case

Eight out of the ten suspects detained this week have now been released.


24. mar
SkryťClose ad