No less than two Russian mercenaries were killed in U.S. air strikes in north-eastern Syria a week ago, their partners have told the BBC.

The hired soldiers are said to have been procured by private military firms backing Syrian pro government troops.

Russia has not affirmed the deaths that were first detailed by U.S. media, saying such reports ought not be dealt with as ” primary sources “.

The US says it killed more than 100 fighters in the strikes a week ago.

Be that as it may, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis demanded that regardless of the media reports he didn’t have knowledge that “Russian contractors” were among the fatalities.

“I can’t give you anything on that, we have not received that word at Central Command or the Pentagon,” he said.