At least 200 civilians have been killed in Russian air strikes in Syria, an Amnesty International report says, quoting witnesses and activists.
\nIt says it “researched remotely” more than 25 Russian attacks in five areas between 30 September and 29 November.
\nThe findings indicate “serious failures [by Russia] to respect international humanitarian law”, Amnesty says.
\nMoscow has repeatedly denied causing civilian deaths, describing such claims as part of “information warfare”.
\nRussia began air strikes targeting Islamic State militants (IS) and other groups on 30 September, saying it was acting at the request of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.<\/p>\n
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\nIn the report, Amnesty said it had researched the Russian attacks in Homs, Hama, Idlib, Latakia and Aleppo.
\nThe group said it had “interviewed by phone or over the internet 16 witnesses to attacks and their aftermath”, including doctors and human rights activists.
\nIn addition, Amnesty “obtained and reviewed audiovisual imagery” relating to the attacks and “commissioned advice from weapons experts”.
\nThe report gives more details about six attacks.
\nOn 29 November, for example, 49 civilians were killed and many others injured when three missiles hit a public market in Ariha, Idlib province, Amnesty said.
\nIt added that testimony by witnesses and research by human rights activists had shown that “there were no military targets in the vicinity”.
\nAmnesty said there was also evidence that Russia’s military “unlawfully used unguided bombs in densely populated areas and inherently indiscriminate cluster munitions”.
\nRussian officials have so far made no public comments on the report’s accusations.
\nThe Kremlin has previously described similar reports as attempts to discredit its operations in Syria.
\nPresident Vladimir Putin said in October that reports of alleged civilian casualties had emerged before the first air strikes were even carried out.
\nRussia’s air campaign comes as a US-led coalition continues its own air strikes against IS targets in Syria.<\/p>\n