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Russian Soldier Dies Of Wounds Sustained In Syria's Aleppo


A Russian soldier who was wounded in Syria's Aleppo region has died of his injuries, Russia's Defense Ministry has said.

The soldier, identified as Sergeant Mikhail Shirokopoyas, was injured after vehicles belonging to the Russian cease-fire monitoring mission in Syria came under fire in early May, the ministry said on June 16.

Shirokopoyas was later transported to a Moscow hospital, where he died last week. The ministry said that "doctors fought for his life" but that the serviceman could not be saved.

Shirokopoyas is the ninth Russian soldier killed in Syria since Moscow launched a bombing campaign in September to support longtime ally Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Another Russian serviceman reportedly committed suicide at Russia's Hmeimim base in Syria in the first month of the operation.

Shirokopoyas' father, Gennady, described his son's burial, which took place at an undisclosed date in the village of Seryshevo in Russia's far eastern Amur region, as having had "all military honors."

"I have one complaint against the army: my son is no more," he told state media.

Based on reporting by AP and AFP

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