Putin confirms death of fifth Russian serviceman in Syria

Russian President Vladimir Putin has confirmed the death in Syria of a fifth Russian serviceman, Fedor Zhuravlev. A transcript of the meeting of the President with members of the operation in Syria was posted on the Kremlin's website. It contains a mention of widow Yulia Zhuravleva.

"There are Elena Peshkova, Valentina Cheremisina, Irina Pozynich and Yulia Zhuravleva in this room, the widows of our comrades – Oleg, Ivan, Alexander, Fyodor, who lost their lives in the fight against terrorists. I understand that it is an irreparable loss for their families, relatives, friends and comrades,'' Vedomosti cites him as saying.