At least four Russian combatants have been killed by militants in the eastern Syrian province of Deir al-Zour.

Two military advisers died when the Syrian army battery they were directing was attacked. Five other Russians were injured and two died later of their wounds, the defence ministry said.

Syria's army took Deir al-Zour city last November but Islamic State fighters remain active in the province.

Officially Russia has lost about 90 personnel in the Syrian civil war.

Scores of military contractors have also died since Moscow began its intervention in support of President Bashar al-Assad in September 2015.

 

Read more:  BBC News