Putin ally said to be in touch with Kremlin, Assad before his mercenaries attacked US troops February 22, 2018 by quixnet Putin ally said to be in touch with Kremlin, Assad before his mercenaries attacked US troopsWashington Post Blocked by Russia, UN Fails to Pass Syria Cease-Fire ResolutionNew York Times Syria war: Russia says no agreement on ceasefire resolutionBBC News Full coverage