1/ A Telegram channel linked to the Wagner Group has published an insider account of the only known clash between the mercenary group and the US military – the 7 February 2018 battle near Khasham in Syria, in which many Wagner fighters reportedly died. ⬇️ 
2/ The battle was highly unusual for being a direct attack by Wagner on a Western military. Although the US ground forces were greatly outnumbered, they had a huge advantage in artillery and airpower, which was used to devastating effect. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of…
3/ The Grey Zone Telegram channel has published an account in Russian, from the Wagner perspective, to mark the 5th anniversary of the battle. Translation follows:
4/ "On 7 February 2018, one of the biggest open military clashes between Russia and the US in the last century took place. There were and are many rumours and even legends about it, but until now it has not been talked about openly.
5/ It happened in the Syrian province of Deir ez-Zor, in and around the city of Hasham (Hisham). Wagner Group stormtroopers continued to advance through the neighbouring province, liberating the territory from Islamic State (ISIS) terrorists.
6/ By late fall 2017, the Wagner Group had liberated the eponymous city of Deir ez-Zor itself, a nearby island, and Mazlum and Hasham across the Euphrates. Beyond the latter, 3.5km to the north, was one of Syria's largest oil and gas plants, Conoco.
7/ In principle, the best fields were concentrated in the north-east of the country, and they were, of course, under American control. But not this one, at least not right away.
8/ Previously, the Wagner Group had more than once had to kick out ISIS terrorists from oil refineries (such as the Al-Sha'ir field or the Hayyan refinery), which they often used in order to get money for their terrorist activities from black market oil sales.
9/ But this time something strange happened, ISIS left the most lucrative place in Syria just like that, and the Americans immediately drove there with their disposable friends the Kurds, the presence of whom was a cover for their activities.
10/ Meanwhile, not a penny goes to the legitimate Syrian government from oil and gas production.
Despite this, the headquarters had coordinated an attack by two detachments, supported by equipment, a consolidated company of artillery, and the Syrians.
Despite this, the headquarters had coordinated an attack by two detachments, supported by equipment, a consolidated company of artillery, and the Syrians.
11/ Our air defence and air force were to provide support and cover, at least that was what the side of these same "allied forces" declared.
Just before midnight of February 7-8, the detachments began their mission. Equipment and infantry went in. The artillery started to work.
Just before midnight of February 7-8, the detachments began their mission. Equipment and infantry went in. The artillery started to work.
12/ Suddenly the column of the 5th assault squadron was hit from the sky and nobody even understood from where. In classic style, the enemy boxed in the column, destroying the leading and trailing vehicles.
Why the column then lined up and stood up – I do not know.
Why the column then lined up and stood up – I do not know.
13/ The fact is that despite the fact that the "Musicians" managed to advance, they did not manage to get close to the plant, so that the Americans could not hit us without hitting themselves, the guys did not have time to do so.
14/ Later it would become clear that the MQ-9 "Reaper" attack UAV had observed all this past our air defence.
Just then, AH-64 "Apache" helicopters appeared in the sky. They flew in pairs.
Just then, AH-64 "Apache" helicopters appeared in the sky. They flew in pairs.
15/ They set up a carousel around those trying to move back to the second line and simply shot at them with guided and unguided weapons as well as machine guns.
Later, the passage of an F-16 bomber cut through the air, working his way into the settlement.
Later, the passage of an F-16 bomber cut through the air, working his way into the settlement.
16/ After all that, was that it? But then, in a moment of calm, the rumble of turboprop engines was heard, when suddenly after that the clay houses simply began to turn into dust – it was an AC-130 flying artillery battery.
17/ The guys from the Karpaty detachment would later tell us that in the morning you could find melted sand and gun barrels bent under the heat of combustion.
18/ In the meantime, the missiles kept shooting at the dispersed vehicles, and a Ural [truck] was simply squashed together like a chocolate bar crushed in a fist.
19/ After analysis of the air activity we found out that there was a B-52 strategic bomber in the sky, but it was unknown if and with what it worked. The active phase of the battle – actually a meat grinder – lasted until 4 am.
20/ There were isolated F-16 strikes and raids even at 6 o'clock.
There was no support at that time. Despite the fact that the duty aviation of the [Russian] Aerospace Forces was a few kilometers away at the Deir ez-Zor airfield.
There was no support at that time. Despite the fact that the duty aviation of the [Russian] Aerospace Forces was a few kilometers away at the Deir ez-Zor airfield.
21/ There was no support at that time. Despite the fact that the duty aviation of the [Russian] Aerospace Forces was a few kilometers away at the Deir ez-Zor airfield.
22/ It is said that a couple of pilots tried to get permission to take off, but they were refused. True or not, there is such a rumor.
23/ Despite persistent rumors and outright fakes, the losses did not amount to the 200 or even 600 people dclared by some sources. I won't say how many. But there were certainly many dead." /end
Source:
t.me/grey_zone/17071
(h/t @RALee85)
Source:
t.me/grey_zone/17071
(h/t @RALee85)
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