One week after U.S. forces engaged with pro-government troops attacking an established SDF location in Syria, an American jet was forced to engage with and destroy a Russian built T-72 Main Battle Tank in the same general vicinity.

Reports have emerged since the 500 strong Pro-Assad offensive led against Syrian Defense Forces took place indicating that at least four, but perhaps as many as dozens, of Russian mercenaries were among those killed and wounded when U.S. tanks, aircraft, and artillery launched a counter-offensive aimed at routing their approach. One Syrian officer claimed that as many as 100 Russians were killed over two days of fighting, but the Kremlin has been slow to respond to such claims.

Russian officials have downplayed any formal involvement in the offensive, however, they have backed Syrian statements suggesting that the American victory over pro-Government troops was intended to aid terrorists from the Islamic State, which Assad claims were the real target of their advance. American officials, however, believe it was far more likely the offensive was intended to capture valuable oil fields the SDF liberated from ISIS control in recent months.  Then on Saturday, another American airstrike was called in to neutralize a T-72 tank engaging SDF forces.

“The tank had been maneuvering with coordinated indirect fire on a defensive position occupied by Syrian Democratic Forces and coalition advisers,” said Col. Ryan S. Dillon. “The defensive position was within effective range of the hostile weapons systems. Coalition officials maintained regular contact with Russian counterparts via established deconfliction lines to avoid misperceptions and miscalculations that could endanger each other’s forces.”