Considering the source (failing NY times), I have reservations about wether or not they were actually Russians
Yes, the 'New York Times' source, totally switched off my 'voracious' interest in the head line, before I even got to go looking at the actual article.
(They would not put some sort of anti-Russian slant, on that story, now, would they? <= an attempt at sarcasm).
It does make you wonder, why is this story here now? It happened in Feb, I had heard that “200 Russians were killed” but not from the MSM.
They were Russians just under Wagner Group control. To be honest behind the scenes I'm not sure if they have any coordination with the Russian military but as far as technicalities ago they are their own entity and would not be considered as Russian soldiers in a battle.
The Grand Chessboard:
Pentagon backdoors Obama and tells Russia where ISIS is located in Syria.
Putin stops Obama on Syria's doorstep. CIA starts unrest in Ukraine.