“Murdered” Russian General dispels Syrian rebels’ claims of his death

PanARMENIAN.Net - Russia's Defense Ministry dismissed as "complete lies," Free Syrian Army claims on Wednesday, August 8 that it had killed a Russian general, RIA Novosti said.

"The goal of broadcasting such statements is not just to cause a sensation, but a clear attempt at a slur toward the Russian Army," the Defense Ministry press service said in a statement.

Major General Vladimir Kuzheev, whom Syrian rebels earlier claimed to have killed, on Wednesday met with journalists at the Russian Defense Ministry and personally dismissed the reports about his death.

“I want to express thanks to the media for their attention to my person…I want to confirm that I am well and alive, live in Moscow…I realize that this information is a provocation not only against me but against my country,” Kuzheev said.

Al Arabiya broadcast a video earlier on Wednesday in which the Free Syrian Army claimed to have killed General Vladmir Kojaiv and his Syrian translator, and showed what the FSA claimed was his identity card with a photo.