Russian General 'Killed' by Syrian Rebels Shows Up in Moscow

A video grab made from a handout video made available by Shaam News Network on 19 July 2012, shows alleged armed Free Syrian Army men deploying in Eltel area near Damscus, Syria. EPA/BGNES

Russia's Defense Ministry has dismissed as "complete lies," the claims of the Syrian rebels from the Free Syrian Army Wednesday that it had killed a Russian general allegedly aiding the regime of Bashar al-Assad.

"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 Russian Defense Ministry press service said in a statement, as cited by RIA Novosti.

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.

For almost 1.5 years Syria has been in a state of civil war as a popular movement has risen up against the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad as part of the Arab Spring revolutions.

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