The Russians agreed to the river as the demarcation line and were told we had special operations troops embedded with this particular unit and area.
The Russians knew full well what they were doing. That order to use Russian mercenaries comes from the top.
Putin was challenging and testing Trump.
Trump passed and Putin miscalculated and many lives and families are obliterated due to Putin.
“The Russians knew full well what they were doing. That order to use Russian mercenaries comes from the top.”
Yup. The US soldiers at the Conoco plant even ran up the US flag in clear sight of the Russians and Syrians. They continued to advance however thereby signaling their intention to engage.
The plant btw was being used to supply POL to anti-Assad forces. Denying the mobility of anti-Assad forces was a condition of the Syrian spring offensive. Putin was wise enough to use Russian mercenaries rather than soldiers. It saves money.