Valeriy Asapov

Americans in Syria are carrying out deadly provocations against Russian soldiers and officers, causing serious concern in Moscow. Their tactics of "half-measures" can not lead to victory over terrorists.

A Russian lieutenant general died in Deir Ez Zor in Syria in a munitions shootout by Islamic state militants, the Russian Ministry of Defense said.

"The senior commander of the Military Advocates Group, Lieutenant General Valeriy Asapov, was at the command line of the Syrian troops, where he helped to run the release of the city of Deir Ez Zor," a ministry message said.