'They beat our a----s': Russian mercenaries talk about humiliating defeat by US in allegedly leaked audio
- Leaked audio recordings allegedly from Russian mercenaries in Syria captured deep lament and humiliation over a battle in early February where US forces killed as many as 300 Russians.
- The audio tapes come from Polygraph.info, which receives funding from the US government.
- The voices in the audio corroborate reports from Reuters and Bloomberg that say hundreds of Russians died in a mismatched battle. They also lament Russia denying the clash, and contradict statements from Russia's Foreign Ministry.
Leaked audio recordings allegedly from Russian mercenaries in Syria capture deep lament and humiliation over a battle in early February where US forces killed as many as 300 Russians.
Published by Polygraph.info, a website that's funded by the US government, the audio recordings paint a picture of Russian mercenaries essentially sent to die in an ill-conceived of advance on a US-held position.
The Pentagon described the attack as "unprovoked" and started by pro-Syrian government forces that crossed over the Euphrates river, which functions as a border between US-backed and Russian-backed forces in Syria.
The Pentagon claims about 500 men began to fire on the position, and the US responded with air power and artillery strikes. The audio from Polygraph seems to confirm those details while giving some insight into the feelings of the defeated Russian forces.
Also apparent in the audio is the Russian mercenaries' displeasure with how Russia is handling the situation. Initially, Russia denied its citizens took part in the clash. Later, a spokesperson admitted five may have died. Last week, Russia's Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the fight left " several dozen wounded," and some had died. Russian voices on tape report losing 200 men "immediately."
Since then, the Washington Post has reported that it has leaked audio confirming that a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin secured permission from the Kremlin before advancing on the US forces. Russia is thought to use military contractors, and not their proper military, to maintain deniability for acts of war and to conceal the true cost of fighting from the Russian people.
The audio recordings that allege to belong to Russian military contractors back up reports from Reuters, Bloomberg, and the Pentagon that roughly 100, if not hundreds, died. Reuters reported that advance's purpose was to test the US response.
Their accounts also align with how the battle went down, depicting an unprepared column of troops meeting an overwhelming air response before helicopter gun ships strafed the remaining troops.