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Russia denies soldier deaths in Syria

Xinhua, February 5, 2017 Adjust font size:

The Russian Defense Ministry said Sunday that all of the country's servicemen are well in Syria, refuting reports of soldier deaths in the Middle East country.

"All Russian soldiers in Syria are safe and sound and are fulfilling their duties," the ministry's spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov was quoted by the RIA Novosti news agency as saying.

Qatari broadcaster Al Jazeera reported on Saturday that an explosion of a Russian military vehicle near the city of Latakia killed five soldiers.

Konashenkov called the report "disinformation" and regretted that Al Jazeera "spread fakes."

Russia began its military intervention in the Syrian war in September 2015.

In March 2016, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered withdrawal of the majority of Russian troops in Syria. Endi