Russian military adviser killed in Syria's Hama

Russian military adviser Nicholai Afanasov was fatally wounded by artillery shells in Hama, the Russian Ministry of Defense said.

"As a result of a sudden mortar attack by militants the town of Syrian Government troops in Hama province killed Russian military adviser Captain Nikolai Afanasov," the ministry added. Afanasov was stationed in Syria to assist and advise in the training of ground forces.

The captain has been recommended to receive a military award posthumously for his service, Sputnik reported.