Russia's shadow war: Hidden costs of Syrian intervention
According to the BBC, Russia has lost over 500 soldiers in Syria since 2015, with most being members of the Wagner Group. After the rebels toppled Bashar al-Assad's government, the dictator went to Russia, where Vladimir Putin himself granted him political asylum.
Since 2015, Russia has lost at least 543 soldiers in Syria, reports the "Moscow Times," citing information from the BBC. This data comes from an analysis of media publications, social media posts, and records from cemeteries and military monuments. Officially, the Russian Ministry of Defence has confirmed the deaths of only 116 soldiers.
The Wagner Group suffered the most losses, with 346 members killed. The first casualties were recorded in October 2015, with the largest losses in 2018 during a clash with American artillery and aviation in the Hisham area. Recently, two Navy officers, Captain First Rank Stepan Alektorski and Nikolai Mikhailenko, along with two Syrian generals, likely fell into an Islamic State ambush and were killed.
Among the fallen were soldiers from elite Russian units, including FSB special forces officers, special forces soldiers, and military pilots. Also killed were one major general, 10 colonels, and at least 60 other officers.
According to "Newsweek," Russia intervened in Syria for two reasons. The Kremlin aimed to help Assad maintain power and return to the forefront of international politics, as well as address the problem of ISIS terrorists, which the West was struggling to handle. The "Moscow Times" notes that in March 2016, Russia announced the conclusion of its military operation in Syria and the withdrawal of its troops, but this plan was not fully executed. Currently, the Kremlin has received security guarantees for its military bases and diplomatic institutions in Syria from new leaders of the Syrian opposition.
