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FILE - In this Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2017 file photo, visitors and Russian military police officers walk toward the Citadel, Aleppo's famed fortress. Russian news outlets say thousands of Russians have been deployed in Syria by a shadowy, private military contractor since 2015. When President Vladimir Putin announced Monday Dec. 11, 2017, that Russia’s campaign in Syria was drawing to a close, he did not mention this secret force. (AP Photo/Nataliya Vasilyeva, File)

Thousands of Russian private contractors fighting in Syria

By NATALIYA VASILYEVA - Associated Press

Kremlin downplays Russian Defense Ministry blunder

Associated Press

Russian warplane crashes during takeoff in Syria, killing 2

Associated Press

FILE -- This undated file photo, shows Abu Mohammed al-Golani, second right, then leader of Fatah al-Sham Front, in pictures posted by the group, discussing battlefield details with field commanders over a map, in Aleppo, Syria. Russia's military announced Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2017, that it carried out airstrikes in Syria this week that critically wounded al-Golani, the leader of the al-Qaida-linked Levant Liberation Committee and killed 12 other militant commanders. Writing in Arabic banner reads, &quot;Sheik Abu Mohammed al-Golani inspects military development and discusses them with military commanders as part of the battle for lifting the siege off Aleppo.&quot; (Militant UGC via AP, file)

The Latest: Al-Qaida-linked group denies leader was wounded

Associated Press

FILE - In this file image made from video provided by Russian Defence Ministry press service on Aug. 18, 2016, shows a Russian combat fighter bomber Su-34 unloads its bombs over a target in Syria. The Russian military claims it has killed the leader of the Islamic State group in an airstrike. The ministry said Friday, June 16, 2017, that Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was killed in a Russian strike in late May along with other senior group commanders. (Russian Defence Ministry Press Service photo via AP, File)

The Latest: Putin hears briefing on report of IS chief death

Associated Press

In this file photo taken on Thursday, April 6, 2017, President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov speaks with The Associated Press in Moscow, Russia. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin).

Russia ups ante by freezing communications with US in Syria

By VLADIMIR ISACHENKOV - Associated Press