Conflicting Reports Emerge On Death Of Russian Officer In Syria Amid Coastal Violence; Russian Media Refutes Allegations, Confirms His Death While 'Fighting Terrorism'

Memri

13-03-2025

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On March 11, 2025, reports surfaced about the death of a Russian officer in Syria, with conflicting narratives from pro-ISIS sources, Syrian journalists, and Russian media. While some linked his death to recent unrest on the Syrian coast, Russian reports claimed he died fighting terrorism and received a military funeral.
Reports On Slain Russian Officer In Syria
On March 11, 2025, a pro-Islamic State (ISIS) Telegram channel reported that Russian forces had announced the death of one of their officers in Syria. However, no details were provided regarding the circumstances of his death, or the location where his body was found. [1]
The channel shared two photos, one purportedly showing the slain officer, and another depicting two men at what appears to be a funeral ceremony.
That same day, Idlib-based Syrian reporter Humam Essa also reported on the Russian officer's death. [2] He wrote: "Coinciding with accusations of Russia's involvement in the terrorist coup attempt on the Syrian coast, official Russian local agencies have announced the death of a Russian soldier in Syria under mysterious circumstances." Humam noted that the soldier was a former officer in Russia's security service who had later been deployed to Syria as a senior gunner.
Russian Media Refutes Alleged Involvement in Syrian Coastal Conflict
On March 10, Russian media reported that a resident of the Bazarno-Karabulaksky District in the Saratov Region had died while fighting terrorism in Syria: "Oleg Suslov did not return home. He held the rank of private and served as a senior shooter," the district administration stated. [3] According to these reports, Suslov was born on November 11, 1992, in Saratov. He signed a contract with the Russian Ministry of Defense on October 9, 2024, and was subsequently deployed to Syria.
Refuting claims that he was killed in the recent unrest on the Syrian coast, Russian reports stated that Suslov had died on February 19, 2025, leaving behind two young daughters. "Today, a farewell ceremony for the serviceman was held in Lesnaya Neelovka. His body was buried under a triple salvo of gunfire," the district administration reported. [4]
[1] Telegram.me/AGENCYEYEIQ/1053, March 10, 2025.
[2] Telegram.me/HammamIssa/29719, March 10, 2025.
[3] 4vsar.ru/news/v-bazarno-karabylakskom-raione-prostilis-s-196851/, March 10, 2025.
[4] Nversia.ru/news/zhitel-regiona-pogib-v-sirii-srazhayas-s-terrorizmom/, March 10, 2025.