Russian Military in Syria

In September 2015 Russian military forces intervened in Syria initially as part of a limited campaign against so-called Islamic State terrorists. This campaign turned into more substantive military support to Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad in his deadly fight with opposition groups, killing thousands of civilians in rebel-held areas. Operations came to an end with Assad’s fall in December 2024.

Airwars documented thousands of allegations of civilian harm from Russian strikes in Syria and produced research and reports on the conflict.

Airwars estimate of civilian deaths

4,338 – 6,384

Locally reported civilian deaths from declared or likely Russian Military actions in Syria for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by the Russian Military. These originate from 4,843 separate alleged incidents.

1,145 – 1,394
children likely killed
632 – 766
women likely killed
6,544
likely injured
3,435
named victims

Russian Military estimate of civilian deaths

0

Confirmed civilian deaths, from Russian Military actions in Syria, originating from 0 separate incidents of civilian harm.

civilians confirmed injured
Alleged deaths
15,282 – 24,392
Locally reported civilian deaths from Russian Military actions in Syria.
4,843 seperate alleged incidents
Confirmed or Fair
4,338 – 6,384
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by Russian Military
1,344 seperate alleged incidents
Weak
727 – 848
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Weak.
457 seperate alleged incidents
Contested
10,113 – 17,043
Civilian deaths for which the reporting is assessed by Airwars as Contested.
3,027 seperate alleged incidents
Discounted
104 – 117
Civilian deaths were Discounted by Airwars after assessment.
15 seperate alleged incidents
4809 incidents
Order results by:
Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

15 December 2018

Incident Code

RS3553

Location

Masaken Hanano, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
مساكن هنانو
Three to four civilians died and up to dozens more were reported wounded in Masaken Hanano neighbourhood of Aleppo following suspected Russian attacks. A number of sources did not name a culprit and described the form of attack as "helicopter aircraft" or "warplane bombardment". Midline alleged that the Syrian regime was the culprit, while @MePanorama…

Summary

Published
15 November 2016
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Incident Date

29 November 2018

Incident Code

RS3552

Location

al-Abbas and Hajeen, Deir Ezzor, Syria
العباس و هجين
At least one and as many as three civilians were killed in an airstrike in the al-Abbas/ Hajeen crossing in al Bukamal, local sources reported, though it was unclear who was to blame. Step News Agency put the death toll at three while the others reported one male fatality, identified by name in multiple reports.…

Summary

Published
29 November 2017
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Incident Date

6 November 2018

Incident Code

RS3551

Location

Deir Al A'adas, Daraa, Syria
دير العدس
Four children were reportedly injured in the explosion of a cluster bomb from an earlier alleged Russian or Syrian regime air raid on the town of Deir Al A'adas, November 6th, 2018, according to local sources. It is unclear when the raid took place. @Step_Agency reported: "Four civilians, including children, were injured as a result…

Summary

Published
6 November 2018
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Incident Date

20 October 2018

Incident Code

RS3550

Location

Jisr Al Shougur, Idlib, Syria
جسر الشغور
A boy was killed and his sister injured when a cluster bomb from a previous alleged Russian raid on the city of Jisr Al Shughour exploded on October 20th, 2018, according to local sources. It is unclear when the bomb was fired. @maraya404 tweeted that "a child is martyred and his sister is injured due to…

Summary

Published
20 October 2018
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Incident Date

12 October 2018

Incident Code

RS3549

Location

Anadan, Aleppo, Syria
عندان
A child was killed in the explosion of the remnants of a cluster bomb from earlier alleged Russian airstrikes on the city of Adanan, Aleppo governorate, on October 12th, 2018, according to local sources. It is unclear when the raid took place. @MasarPressNet tweeted that "a child was martyred when a cluster bomb exploded from the…

Summary

Published
12 October 2018
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Incident Date

6 October 2018

Incident Code

RS3548

Location

Al-Hamidiya, Deir Ezzor, Syria
الحميدية
Three civilians were killed and others were wounded in airstrikes on Al-Hamidiya, local media reported. Sources attributed the blame to both Russia and the Syrian regime. A man and his son were killed. One source suggests that the victims were killed in a strike on Al Ashara water crossing, about 60KM away from Al Hamidiya…

Summary

Published
6 October 2017
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