Having cross-referenced Russian-language texts I can confirm that Sergeant SOKUROV Eduard (СОКУРОВ Эдуард) did indeed die whilst serving in Syria prior to Vadim Kostenko. The distinction seems to be that Vadim Kostenko was ‘Contracted’ to serve a set time and in a set place – and was not a Career Soldier – or a Professional Specialist as was Edward Sokurov. Vadim Kostenko, therefore, was the first ‘ordinary’ Russian Army soldier to ‘die’ in Syria (but was the ‘second’ to die overall). Still, given the Great Patriotic War numbers that are dying in Donbass today – discussion of individual cases of mortality (confronting US hegemony around the world) seems almost superfluous and self-indulgent by comparison!
SANGHA KOMMUNE (SSR) 