Syria conflict: Body of Russian 'hero' flown home (Called in strike on position)

bbc.com ^ | 29 April 2016 | BBC

[Trumpinator]

Syria conflict: Body of Russian 'hero' flown home

29 April 2016

The body of a Russian officer killed near Palmyra during a battle against so-called Islamic State (IS) militants has arrived back in Moscow from Syria. Tass news agency said special forces Snr Lt Alexander Prokhorenko was posthumously awarded the Hero of Russia medal by President Vladimir Putin. He died after calling in a Russian air strike to hit IS fighters who had surrounded him, Russian media reported.

Syrian and Russian forces ousted IS from Palmyra on 27 March.

Palmyra: A Russian soldier in the ancient ruins, 7 Apr 16

[Trumpinator]

I hope the returning of this hero's body home in time for Orthodox Easter brings comfort to his family and friends.

[fella]

They have their own Angel Flight, Radney Foster.

[Pentagon Leatherneck]

The scorn quotes around the title “hero” are not necessary or appropriate. He gave his life in service to his country. Scorning such devotion and bravery is petty.

TC

[MarMema]

It’s BBC. They are fairly russophobic.

[Trumpinator]

We know which Muslims the BBC backs.

[chris37]

I don’t know if it’s appropriate to post a Reagan salute or not.

I want to, but I’m not sure.

[Rufus Shinra]

“I request an air strike. They’ll mutilate me and my uniform. I want to die with dignity, and I want all these scumbags to die with me. Please fulfil my last request,”

Now that’s a real soldier. Have to respect his courage, no matter what nationality he is.

God bless.

[Trumpinator]

A Viking funeral with dead Islamist dogs at his feet.

[pax_et_bonum]

God bless him and all of his loved ones.

[GOPJ]

Prayers for this brave man’s family and loved ones...

[Trumpinator]

According to the Russian government daily Rossiiskaya Gazeta, Prokhorenko directed a Russian air strike on IS after telling his commander by radio: "I'm surrounded - they're here, I don't want them to get me". A transcript of the radio message appeared on social media. "I request an air strike. They'll mutilate me and my uniform. I want to die with dignity, and I want all these scumbags to die with me. Please fulfil my last request," he was quoted as saying.

[Chode]

[WENDLE]

May he be blessed and lifted into eternal life by God the Father of the savior of mankind- Jesus Christ.

[going hot]

Better than being burned alive in a cage, and you get to get some one last time.

[Trumpinator]

Probably because Palmyra is a historic place filled with archeological treasures the Russians needed to do more precise air strikes rather than mass bombardments. That required more forward spotters and that is not an easy terrain to hide in.

[RedWulf]

>Probably because Palmyra is a historic place filled with archeological treasures the Russians needed to do more precise air strikes rather than mass bombardments. That required more forward spotters and that is not an easy terrain to hide in.

Russia has been much more civilized since their return to Orthodox Christianity. My opinion of them continues to improve.

[BlackVeil]

Yes, I agree. He took the best option and it was probably the easier option as well.

Anything is better than being captured alive by ISIS.

[going hot]

Probably flipped em the bird just prior to impact.

[bray]

That’s one tough Ruskie.

Pray for his family

[MSF BU]

I agree with you. But is often the case with news writers, they are generally hostile to the military with a low percentage who have military service and a substantial number of sodomites.