Russian general has confirmed the use of special forces in Syria – BBC Russian

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Image caption Prior to this, the Russian government and military denied the use of Syrian ground forces and argued that the operation involved only aviation

Colonel General Aleksandr Dvornikov, who commanded the army Russian group in Syria, said that the Russian armed forces, contrary to official reports, there were involved not only in the air but on the ground.

in an interview to “Rossiyskaya Gazeta” Dvornikov said that the commander of the Russian group of about six months. According to him, Syria is still valid fighters Russian special operations forces.

Dvornikov claims that the commandos involved in Syria supplementary exploration projects for air strikes, prompting the aircraft against targets in remote areas, as well as solve some “other special tasks “.

According Dvornikova in Syria are also in the Russian military advisers to help the Syrians in the planning of military operations and in the development of Russian military equipment.

Dvornikov added that remaining in the Syria Russian troops sufficient to monitor compliance with the cease-fire and for the protection of the Russian airfield Hmeymim and item material security of the Russian Navy in Tartous.

“Rossiyskaya Gazeta” noted that the name Dvornikova had never been mentioned in connection with the operation in Syria. The publication states that the majority of the details of the operation are still classified, and Dvornikov shared only a few details.

The Russian operation in Syria officially started last fall. It was attended by Russian aviation. Moscow claimed that the operation is directed against militants of the organizations recognized as terrorist in Russia.

At the same time, Western countries have stated that Russian planes struck, first of all, on the objects of so-called moderate opposition to the thus help support Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the ongoing five-year civil war.

Chief of the NATO forces in Europe Philip Breedlove in early March, accused Russia of that striking at the civilian population in Syria, it specifically promotes strengthening the refugee crisis, which uses as a weapon against Europe.

also, there were reports in the media to participate in the operations of Russian ground troops, including armored. Moscow conducting ground operations in Syria categorically denied and claimed that plans to send to troops on the ground it does not have.

“About any ground operations, the participation of Russian troops in the ground operations of the question, and can not go “, – said Russian President Vladimir Putin

Vladimir Putin unexpectedly announced in March this year that the Russian aircraft has fulfilled all the tasks assigned to it in Syria, in connection with which the bulk of the troops decided to withdraw

The statement was made against the background of the entry into force of the first five years of the ceasefire, the signing of which between almost all the parties to the conflict after long negotiations have Russia and the United States.

Shortly after the start of the withdrawal of Russian troops from Syria it became known that for participation in the operation was awarded the commander of the first tank army Yuri Yarovitsky. The Defense Ministry said that it has received an award for training the Syrian military.