[34], In early July 2017, a video emerged that showed Wagner PMCs bludgeoning a man who was initially believed to be a captured ISIL militant in the Palmyra area, with the person being beheaded after. [20] One week later, the PMCs, along with regular Russian troops, supported Syrian government forces in repelling a HTS-led rebel offensive north of Hama. [53][54] Initially, the Kremlin attempted to distance itself from the two,[55] while a brother of one of them accused the Russian government of rejecting them. While working with regular Syrian government forces, they were first to establish civilian evacuation corridors and then engage in the attack on the city. [32][33][34], According to the U.S. military's official statement, around 10 p.m. local time on the night of 7 February 2018, a force of 500 pro-government fighters consisting of local militiamen, Syrian Army regulars, Shia militants from Liwa Fatemiyoun and Liwa Zainebiyoun, and reportedly Russian private military contractors, launched an assault on a SDF headquarters near Khasham. [9] Others were transported to Syria by the Syrian Cham Wings airline from the Rostov-on-Don Airport, with 51 round trips being made between January 2017 and March 2018. Americans responded with airstrikes in a four-hour battle, killing an estimated 200 combatants. WebThe Wagner Group is trained at Russian Defense Ministry bases, and the groups leaders have received awards in the Kremlin, but Russia downplayed its involvement in the [14] The remaining 23 pro-government personnel, including 15 Russians PMCs, were not killed in the airstrikes, but instead caught in a booby-trapped explosion at an arms depot at Tabiyet Jazira. Compared to its influence over the Syrian government, the Russian government had significantly less influence over Iran's government, military, and proxies in Syria, which constituted a large portion of pro-Syrian government ground forces in both Deir ez-Zor and throughout Syria.[40]. A couple hundred Russians were killed. This was well in advance of the enemy forces' attack. With them have been 27 automobiles together with Russian T-72 tanks and armored personnel carriers. [62] Three or four companies of Wagner PMCs were involved in the fighting. According to the center, 79,702 people had left rebel-held parts of Eastern Ghouta as of 19 March. [2] According to Der Spiegel, witnesses said that no Russian mercenaries were part of this group. Reporting by DER SPIEGEL shows that events were likely very different. [114] By 23 March, the SOHR put the number of those who left rebel areas or remained in two towns seized by government forces at 120,000, while the UN stated 50,000 had left the besieged areas. Furthermore, the SOHR stated they were not killed in the air-strikes, but instead in a booby-trapped explosion at an arms depot. military officials tell NBC News the Russian mercenaries were from the Wagner group, a shadowy security firm linked to Yevgeny Prigozhin, a ", "More than 200 Russians may have been killed in Coalition strikes in Syria", "Reports of Russian Deaths Underscore Dangers of Syria's War", "The business of war: Russian mercenaries in Syria", "Russian toll in Syria battle was 300 killed and wounded: sources", Russia's use of mercenaries in Syria is causing trouble back home, The oil field carnage that Moscow doesn't want to talk about, 14 - "" , "". [70][71] News outlets also noted that Vladimir Putin abruptly cancelled most of his previously announced engagements scheduled for 12 and 13 February, his press service citing ill health, and instead had a secret conference with his top military chiefs;[72][73] he also had a telephone conversation with U.S. president Donald Trump on 12 February, with no details revealed. [103], On 29 April 2018, pro-government forces launched an assault against four SDF villages on the Euphrates, initially capturing them. Furthermore, Russian private military contractors ("volunteers"), notably those associated with the Wagner Group, had been engaged in ground operations throughout that time, although their presence was never officially confirmed by the Russian government. Both this and other memoirs are largely in line with the accounts of the battle presented INDICTMENT: The Grand Jury for the District of Columbia charges: , Wagner's failed attack on US forces in Syria 'led by former Russian Marine officer', polygraph.info (3 October 2019) Russian News Accidentally Reveals Evidence of PMC Wagner in CAR, " ", "U.S. Airstrikes Kill 100 Russian and Syrian Fighters, Reports Say", "Pentagon Says U.S. Was Told No Russians Involved In Syria Attack", Department of Defense Press Briefing by Pentagon Chief Spokesperson Dana W. White in the Pentagon: Briefing Room: Press Operations: Pentagon Chief Spokesperson Dana W. White, Defense Video & Imagery Distribution System, "The Lion and The Eagle: The Syrian Arab Army's Destruction and Rebirth", "Struggle Between Russia, Iran For Control Over Syria's Centers Of Power", "Assad Appoints Pro-Russia General as Chief of Staff", "Syria says rare US strike an effort 'to support terrorism', Fifteen Russian security staff killed in Syria explosion: The incident at a weapons depot follows the reported deaths of scores of Russian mercenaries in a US-led coalition attack last week, " . [18][19], The U.S. military stated that one hundred Syrian pro-government fighters were killed in the U.S. attack, prompting Syria to accuse the United States of carrying out a "brutal massacre" of its troops and Russia to accuse the U.S. of being economically motivated in its actions, citing nearby oil fields. [115] The whole Eastern Ghouta region was captured by government forces on 14 April,[116][117] effectively ending the near 7-year rebellion near Damascus. [42] Further investigation by Russian media in December 2019 identified the remaining perpetrators as Vladimir B., Dzhakhongyr M. ("Pamir"), Ruslan ("Chichi") and Vladislav Apostol, who was killed in Syria in February 2018. Western governments and academics argue that Wagner is an unofficial foreign policy tool of the Kremlin, deployed where Russia wants to extend its influence or create upheaval. [119] In May, the SBU announced it identified Lieutenant Colonel Oleg Demyanenko of the Russian Armed Forces as the Carpathians' trainer. [20], In September 2014, the United States began to undertake efforts to establish a global coalition with the declared aim of countering the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. Ukraine is our brother.. Commandos Unfolded in Syria", News Transcript: Department Of Defense Press Briefing by Lieutenant General Harrigian via teleconference from Al Udeid Airbase, Qatar: Press Operations: Lieutenant General Jeffrey Harrigian, commander, U.S. Air Forces Central Command, "Did U.S. and Russian Troops Fight Their Bloodiest Battle Since World War I in February? [127], On 15 October 2019, Syrian government forces entered the city of Manbij and its surrounding countryside, as US military forces started a withdrawal from the area,[128] which was completed by the end of the day. Mattis believed the forces were under Russian control, as the pro-government troops pulled back after U.S. forces spoke with their Russian counterparts. The Wagner Group, also known as PMC Wagner,[1] a Russian paramilitary organization[1] also described as a private military company (PMC), a network of mercenaries,[1][2] and a de facto unit of the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) or Russia's military intelligence agency, the GRU,[3] has conducted operations in Syria since late 2015. [37][38], On 13 February 2018, unclassified footage depicting the coalition's targeted airstrikes on a pro-government T-72 tank position and a reported Russian contractor artillery position in the Khasham area was released by the Department of Defense. [20][65], On 12 February 2018, Grigory Yavlinsky called on President Vladimir Putin to present an account of whether any Russian military forces had been involved in the battle. Mercenary groups are nothing to be ashamed of, they exist everywhere, but we lie about them, he said. PHOTOS, Hrytsak: The lie stained with blood, greed and fear for the committed crimes this is the true face of Russian special services. At the end of November, it was reported that the Russian military was negotiating for the release of the two PMCs who were reportedly being held on the border of Syria and Iraq. [99][100], On 2 March 2018, at least two pro-government fighters were reportedly killed by coalition air raids near Khasham. [2], As with the deconfliction line, the Syrian government itself never officially agreed to this limit but due to its dependence on Russia, the Syrian Army had nevertheless been, by and large de facto adhering to both; the Iranian government also never joined either of these two bilateral U.S.Russian agreements. At this point, pro-government units were hit by airstrikes. At this point, pro-government units were hit by air-strikes. -57, "Pompeo Boasts About U.S. Strikes Killed Scores of Russia Fighters in Syria, Sources Say, : " ", "" . The memoir also describes mercenaries day-to-day lives, including occasional looting, and his commanders missteps. [15] Some reports stated that the contracts with Damascus were established after Wagner lost the trust and financing of the Russian Defense Ministry in early 2016. [33] Subsequently, the PMCs were in charge of guarding the refineries, with ISIL occasionally making attempts to retake the fields, each time being beaten back. [66][67][68] Meanwhile, Russia's government-run news agency TASS acknowledged, with reference to a Cossack organisation, the death in a battle near Deir ez-Zor of a Russian "volunteer", sotnik Vladimir Loginov, a resident of the Kaliningrad Region. [12] Later, a Defense Ministry source told RBK TV that the FSB was also directing the PMCs. [135] In April, the Wagner-linked Russian security contractor "Evro Polis" delivered 50 ventilators, 10,000 coronavirus test kits, and 2,000 items of protective clothing to Syria amid the coronavirus pandemic. [85][86], On 20 February 2018, the Russian foreign ministry released a statement which, while admitting that there had been citizens of Russia and "countries of the CIS" killed and wounded in the course of the "recent clash" in Syria, claimed that no Russian service members or their materiel had been involved in any way. [49], Contrary to the claims of hundreds of deaths among the PMCs, a Russian investigative group, the Conflict Intelligence Team (CIT), confirmed 10 contractor deaths[50] and estimated a total of between 20 and 30 had died. [15][11] Supported by T-72 and T-55 tanks, the pro-government troops first shelled the SDF base with artillery, mortars, and rockets in what U.S. military officials described as a "coordinated attack". That fact is completely ignored by the military establishment and not known to the wider public, Gabidullin complained, grumbling that mediocre Russian army generals received promotions based on Wagners successes. We should never have been there; our leadership messed up. [32] Still, in mid-September, the al-Shaer gas fields started getting back into production. Confronted with these accusations, Gabidullin said he never saw his comrades engaged in such acts but added that such crimes were to be expected given the groups current shadowy status. [31] A publication by the Ukraine-based anti-Kremlin InformNapalm alleged the operation had been cleared with the Russian military command by Sergey Kim, the chief of Wagner's operations department and a former Russian Naval Infantry officer. elections. Sitting in a cafe in an upmarket Moscow suburb, the former mercenary Marat Gabidullin looked a long way from the battlefields of Syria where he fought half a decade ago. [4][12][5], According to the U.S. military, the presence of U.S. special operations personnel in the targeted base elicited a response by coalition aircraft, including AC-130 gunships, F-22 Raptor and F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets, MQ-9 Reaper unmanned combat aerial vehicles, AH-64 Apache attack helicopters, and B-52s bombers. [130] It was thought that Wagner PMCs were involved in the taking over of an abandoned US military base in the area, due to the confirmed presence of a Russian journalist who was known to regularly follow the contractors. [112] One of the towns captured by government troops during this time was Mesraba. [84] A Kurdish militia commander and an ex-Russian officer also claimed Russian contractors suffered casualties during the fighting. [90], Several Russian online news outlets, citing Syria's media and ex-KGB officer Igor Panarin, published unconfirmed reports that the Su-57 fighters, deployed to Syria since February 2017, had taken part in strikes against rebel targets in Eastern Ghouta, killing about ten U.S. personnel (military instructors) as well as other Western countries' instructors stationed in the rebel stronghold, despite the lack of known U.S. military presence in the region; the strikes were presented as retaliation for the U.S. attack at Khasham. [36] During the two weeks following the incident, U.S. Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis and other U.S. military officials repeatedly stated that American military commanders were in contact with their official Russian counterparts prior to, during, and after the clash, and that the U.S military were told by their Russian counterparts that there were no Russians in the paramilitary formation. [48] Additionally, a Russian military doctor, a leader of a PMC-linked paramilitary Cossack organization, and a source with ties to Wagner claimed 80100 PMCs were killed and 200 wounded. In Ukraine, Wagner had fought a low-intensity According to Fontanka, the equipment problems in combination with a reported reduction in the quality of its personnel led to Wagner suffering a significantly higher number of casualties in the second battle for Palmyra than the first one. [10] Their equipment was delivered to Syria via the so-called Syrian Express,[11] a fleet of Russian military and civilian merchant ships that had been delivering supplies to Syria since 2012. He said he worried about the consequences of publishing his book and was eager to avoid mentioning his alleged former boss, Prigozhin. I suspect that there will be attempts by [Prigozhin] to discredit me. A detailed account of the battle was included in 8 years with Wagner, a book by a member of the PMC, Kiril Romanovsky, published several days prior. Three weeks after the incident, Germany's Der Spiegel published their own investigative report based on evidence gleaned from multiple first-hand sources (participants and witnesses) in the area. Troops in Syria: Mattis gave Putin "plausible deniability" for a military assault that went badly awry. [69] However, on 4 December, the ISIS Hunters reported they had killed the commander of the ISIL militants that had captured and executed the two PMCs. The Battle of Khasham, also known as the Battle of Conoco Fields, was a military engagement of the Syrian civil war fought on 7 February 2018 near the towns of Khasham and Al Tabiyeh in the Deir ez-Zor Governorate, Syria. Wagner PMCs then reportedly launched an operation and during the night between 18 and 19 March, fully recaptured Mesraba. Under no circumstances should this be allowed. [11] The usage of Wagner had reportedly cost Russia 170 million dollars by August 2016. We, in Russia, prefer not to discuss our mercenaries, he added. [76], On 14 February, presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov admitted the possibility that some Russian citizens who were not part of Russia's armed forces were in Syria, but dismissed reports of mass casualties as false. In contrast, he said one of his main motivations behind writing the book was to bring mercenary companies such as Wagner out of the shadow, highlighting their potential benefits for Russias foreign policy goals. Warning shots fired by U.S. military forces in the area stopped this morning advance, and the fighters withdrew back to the west of the Euphrates; these warning shots did not result in any injuries. [78][79], State Duma Defense Committee Chairman Vladimir Shamanov, citing reported casualties of Russian PMCs, said the Russian parliament was working on a bill that would regulate activities of private military contractors, which he said was necessary. When they returned for the second Palmyra offensive and to capture ISIL-held oil fields at the beginning of 2017, the PMCs reportedly faced a shortage of weapons and equipment as they were issued only older assault rifles, machine guns, T-62 tanks and M-30 howitzers. At about 10 pm, local time, on 7 February 2018, a battle began near the Syrian town of Khasham in the Deir ez-Zor Governorate, between pro-Syrian government forces and the Kurdish-led SDF, supported by the U.S. military. [63][64] A besieged pocket of ISIL militants remained on an island in the city's outskirts, which soon came under attack. [96][97] The SBU further named 64 of the PMCs. He first wanted to publish the memoir in 2020 but quickly withdrew his book after pressure from certain people. [89] Similarly, the SOHR activist organization reported that the Russian PMCs, who were accompanying government forces as they advanced towards the SDF-held oil and gas fields, were killed at Al Tabiyeh. The story I heard was the Ruskies would get bonus money capturing more oil fields so they just tried to roll up and ignored warnings// any pics vid or aftermath or diagrams or something cool [31] However, as of the beginning of July, the PMCs were still fighting to secure the al-Shaer gas fields and the areas of the phosphate mines. Links between Trump associates and Russian officials, Donald Trump's disclosures of classified information, Viktor BoutBrittney Griner prisoner exchange, Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, Defending Elections from Threats by Establishing Redlines Act, Defending American Security from Kremlin Aggression Act, United States military and prostitution in South Korea. AH-64 Apache attack helicopters played a key role in the Battle of Khasham, helping to annihilate a combined force of hundreds of Syrian soldiers and mercenaries from Russias Wagner Group. US Army photo by Maj. Robert Fellingham. [94][95] Earlier, Komsomolskaya Pravda military correspondent Viktor Baranets[ru] was cited as saying that according to his information, the Su-57s had done "excellent" work carrying out their mission in Eastern Ghouta. [113] On 18 March, the rebels launched a counter-attack in an attempt to recapture Mesraba and quickly seized most of the town from government forces. [37] After he was killed, his body was mutilated and burned. Several sniper rifles and grenade launchers were delivered a few weeks later, which did not solve the issue. They stand in stark contrast to recent UN reports accusing Wagner operatives of raping civilians in Central African Republic or allegations that Wagner soldiers tortured and killed a prisoner in Syria. [2] Further strikes were carried out on the mornings of February 8 and 9 on tribal militia members that had come to retrieve dead bodies. [121], As of the end of November 2018, the PMCs were conducting very few combat missions. Prigozhin and Moscow have denied any knowledge of Wagner; officially, private military companies remain illegal in Russia. [75] As part of the same campaign in the northwest of Syria, in early February 2018, the PMCs helped in the capture of several villages in the northeastern countryside of Hama from IS. No The battle, wherein as many as 500 or so combatants loyal to the Syrian government were said to have advanced toward a known US position in western Syria and fired with tanks and artillery, reportedly ended with up to [32], More than two years later, full footage was uploaded to a closed VKontakte group for members of Wagner with new information asserting that the killed person was a Syrian Army soldier who had deserted. The Wagner group certainly has distinct interests in Syria, since its service contracts there are ultimately paid by the Syrian state, not Russia, through a complex A Telegram channel associated with Russian private military company (PMC) Wagner Established in 2014 to support pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine, Wagner is allegedly funded by Yevgeny Prigozhin, a powerful businessman closely [88], According to Germany's Der Spiegel, the ferocious American response was primarily triggered by a unit of Syrian tribal militia and Shiite fighters moving from the town of Al Tabiyeh towards Khasham, concurrently with another group of pro-government forces that had crossed the Euphrates River near the Deir ez-Zor Airport advancing towards Khasham from the village of Marrat. Gabidullin, whose hearing has suffered after years of fighting, also said he participated in the 2018 Battle of Khasham, where hundreds of Russian mercenaries were reportedly killed after US airstrikes against pro-regime forces, in what is believed to be the deadliest clash between Russia and the US since the cold war. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. However, the SDF later retook the villages, with local sources claiming coalition aircraft bombed pro-government positions in response. [79], At about 10pm, local time, on 7 February 2018, a battle began near the Syrian town of Khasham in the Deir ez-Zor Governorate, between pro-Syrian government forces and the Kurdish-led SDF, supported by the U.S. military. [125] Members of the Russian special forces were also present during the offensive. [45][46] In December 2021, the Council of the European Union sanctioned Utkin for the killing, stating in a resolution that "According to a former member of the Wagner Group, Dimitriy Utkin personally ordered the torturing to death of the deserter as well as the filming of the act. The memoir, based on events Gabidullin claims he witnessed, follows three years of Wagners Syrian campaign. It describes some of the mercenaries big battles, including two operations to liberate the ancient city of Palmyra. Scores of Wagner soldiers are believed to have fought and died in Syria since the conflict began in 2011. But, of course, we should investigate that messed-up stuff., A Russian taboo: film explores death of private soldier in Syria, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, 2023 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. While Gabidullins memoir challenges the official narrative regarding the existence of mercenaries in Russia, a separate PR campaign also sprung up last year to promote the activities of groups like Wagner. The Iranian-backed forces that had gathered consisted of members of the Syrian Army's elite 4th Armoured Division, members of the militias of the local Bekara and Albo Hamad Arab tribes, and members of the Iranian-controlled Fatemiyoun and Zainebiyoun brigades. [104] Der Spiegel and the SOHR reported mostly Syrians were killed in the strikes. [123] The ground offensive was launched on 6 May, after a week-long aerial campaign against rebel territory,[124] with pro-government troops managing to capture two major towns within three days. [58][59] This claim was questioned by the CIT, who pointed out that there had been no reports of this effect from the militants' sources. Engel: U.S. Established in 2014 to support pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine, Wagner is allegedly funded by Yevgeny Prigozhin, a powerful businessman closely linked to Vladimir Putin who has faced western sanctions. [106] According to former Wagner members, the battle at Khasham had an impact that lead to changes to the organization, with the PMCs subsequently being given only guard duties at the local plants. Killing "a Couple Hundred Russians" in Syria", Russian reporter Borodin dead after mystery fall, U.S. airstrike destroys Russian-made tank used by pro-Syria forces, "U.S. drone destroys Russian-made tank in Syria", "At least two fighters of Assad forces killed due US raids on their location by Khasham town", "After brief buildup, pro-Syria government forces move away from U.S. troops", "SDF returns fire after surprise artillery attack near Deir al-Zor: Coalition", "Syrian Democratic Forces Return Fire in Self-Defense", Background and causes of the Syrian Civil War, Syrian government reactions to the Syrian civil war, Inter-rebel conflict during the Syrian civil war, Cities and towns during the Syrian civil war, Sectarianism and minorities in the Syrian civil war, Syrian Desert campaign (December 2017present), Humanitarian aid during the Syrian civil war, Human rights violations during the Syrian civil war, Civil uprising phase of the Syrian civil war, Early insurgency phase of the Syrian civil war, International reactions to the Syrian civil war, Relations between Syrian government and Kurdish groups in Syria, Al-Hasakah Governorate campaign (20122013), Rif Dimashq offensive (Nov 2012Feb 2013), Battle of Tell Hamis and Tell Brak (DecJan), East Ghouta inter-rebel conflict (AprMay), September Urum al-Kubra aid convoy attack, Turkish military operation in Idlib Governorate, Syrian Liberation FrontTahrir al-Sham conflict, Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party Syria Region, National Coordination Committee for Democratic Change, International demonstrations and protests, First Northern Syria Demilitarization Deal, Second Northern Syria Demilitarization Deal, Fourth Extraordinary Session of the Islamic Summit Conference, International recognition of the Syrian National Council, Ambassadors of Russia to the United States, Ambassadors of the United States to Russia, Consulate-General of Russia, New York City, Consulate-General of Russia, San Francisco, Permanent Mission of Russia to the United Nations, Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism. However, sources within the Russian FSB and the Defense Ministry unofficially stated for RBTH that Wagner was supervised by the GRU. The PMCs were accompanying government forces as they advanced towards the SDF-held oil and gas fields. ARCHIVED; Posted: 6/10/2019 4:01:43 AM EDT Battle of Khasham Date: 78 February 2018 Location: near Khasham, Deir ez-Zor Governorate, Syria This video goes into the Wagner Group and Russian families who lost sons in the battle (duration 00:12:21). [76] Between 3 and 7 February, pro-government forces seized at least 25 villages,[77] shrinking the IS pocket in that part of the country by a reported 80 percent. The presence of the PMCs in Syria was first reported in late October 2015, almost a month after the start of the Russian military intervention in the country's civil war, when between three and nine PMCs were killed in a rebel mortar attack on their position in Latakia province. Marat Gabidullin says Russias achievements in Syria were largely because of the mercenaries sacrifices. [103] Russia officially confirmed five presumably Russian citizens had been killed in the air-strikes. Syrian Army 1 links Land force branch of the Syrian Armed Forces. ", "Syrian government air strikes kill 71 and wound 325 in 24 hours, monitor says", "Syria forces ready for assault on rebel enclave", "Syrian regime forces cut Eastern Ghouta into three parts", Syria war: Thousands flee Eastern Ghouta as army advances, "Fears for the lives of civilians after the regime forces advanced in the southwestern pocket of the Eastern Ghouta under heavy fire cover", "Syrian troops cut major roads in suburbs of Damascus", " "" REX", "Syrian army celebrates as rebels quit most of their Ghouta stronghold", "The Latest: Syrian army says it has retaken eastern Ghouta", "East Ghouta officially under the Syrian Army's control after last militant convoy leaves Douma", "Western airstrikes unlikely to impact Assad's war machine", "Ukrainians fight and die among Russian Wagner mercenaries | KyivPost Ukraine's Global Voice", "Ukraine's SBU identifies chief instructor of Ukrainian unit at Russia's PMC Wagner", ": 11 , ", " .
