Russian soldier dies in Syria after shelling by militants
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A Russian soldier has died in Syria, the Russian military's ninth casualty since the start of the Syrian campaign.
The Defense Ministry said in a statement Wednesday that Anton Yerygin was fatally wounded in a shelling by militants in the Homs province and later died in a hospital. It said the shelling occurred as he was escorting a convoy of vehicles of the Russian Center for Reconciliation, whose task is to help cement a Russian- and U.S.-brokered cease-fire.
The cease-fire that began on Feb. 27 has helped reduce hostilities, but fighting has continued in some areas.
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Yerygin is the ninth Russian serviceman who has died in Syria, according to Russian official statements. Six died of enemy fire, two were killed in a helicopter crash and one killed himself.