The Russian Defense Minister has confirmed that no Russian warplanes were flying over Deir Ezzor on Sunday night when the Syrian Arab Army’s 137th Brigade (17th Reserve Division) was struck by 9 rockets near the village of ‘Ayyash.
In addition to denying a Russian presence in Deir Ezzor on Sunday night, the Defense Minister stated that 4 U.S. warplanes were spotted by the Syrian Arab Army’s 137th Brigade prior to the unprovoked airstrike that killed 3 soldiers and wounded 13 others.
According to a military source from the Syrian Arab Army’s 104th Airborne Brigade (Republican Guard), Shaytat Tribesmen were given information from the local tribes of Abukamaal that confirmed the presence of a Coalition warplane minutes before the SAA camp was attacked.
The U.S. has denied these allegations; instead, they have placed blame on the Russian Air Force, stating that there was likely miscommunication between the Syrian Armed Forces and the Russian military command.
Countering this claim, the Russian Defense Minister asserted that the Russian Air Force always informs the U.S. about the time, altitude, and routes that their warplanes take before conducting their airstrikes; therefore, this is not true.
The aircraft that struck Syrian Arab Army near ‘Ayyash was last seen flying north towards Al-Shadadi; this is the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham’s primary stronghold in northeastern Syria.