MOSCOW. July 17 (Interfax) - The United States military command is supervising the activity of the Private Military Companies (PMCs) in Syria, and the number of the PMC personnel tops 4,000, spokesperson of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova said.
"Given the scheduled reduction of its contingent in the territory of Syria, the U.S. is acting in the interesting fashion, specifically increasing the number of members of the private military companies acting in northern and northeastern regions of the country. It is reported that the number of the PMC personnel exceeds 4,000," Zakharova said at a press briefing in Moscow on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, there is some information that 540 people, including 70 commanding officers and instructors, came to Syria in the second half of June alone, she said.
"Mercenaries are being transferred by car in groups numbering between 12 and 16 people. The PMC's main goals are training combat units loyal to Washington and guarding facilities of the oil and gas infrastructure and ensuring security," Zakharova said.
"Perhaps, one should not pay particular attention to that, if not one thing: the U.S. Central Command is supervising the PMC's activity," the spokesperson of the Russian Foreign Ministry said.