Russia's hidden casualties: Over 500 soldiers lost in Syria
As reported by the BBC, Russia has lost over 500 soldiers in Syria since 2015. Most of these soldiers belong to the Wagner group. When rebels overthrew Bashar al-Assad's government, the dictator sought refuge in Russia, where Vladimir Putin granted him political asylum.
Since 2015, Russia has lost at least 543 soldiers in Syria, reports the "Moscow Times", citing BBC information. This data is based on an analysis of media reports, social media posts, as well as information from cemeteries and military monuments. Officially, the Russian Ministry of Defence has confirmed only the deaths of 116 soldiers.
The Wagner group suffered the greatest losses, with 346 members reported dead. The initial casualties were recorded in October 2015, with the heaviest losses occurring in 2018 during clashes with American artillery and aviation in the Hisham region. Recently, two naval officers, Captains 1st Rank Stepan Alekterski and Nikolai Mikhaylenko, along with two Syrian generals, likely fell into an ambush by Islamic State fighters and were killed.
Among the fallen were soldiers from elite Russian units, including officers from FSB special forces, other special forces soldiers, and military pilots. A division general, 10 colonels, and at least 60 officers also lost their lives.
As "Newsweek" reports, Russia entered Syria for two principal reasons. The Kremlin aimed to help Assad retain power and reassert Russia as a leading player in international politics while addressing the ISIS terrorist threat, which the West struggled to contain. The "Moscow Times" recalls that in March 2016,
Russia announced the end of its military operations in Syria and the planned withdrawal of troops, however, this withdrawal did not occur. Currently, the Kremlin has secured assurances for the safety of its military bases and diplomatic entities in Syria from the new leaders of the Syrian opposition.
