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
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Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

10 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1428

Location

Khan al Assal, Aleppo, Syria
Local media reported that up to two civilians were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Khan al-Assal. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights,“two victims died due to suspected Russian warplanes missiles firing on Khan Al Asal town in Aleppo governorate western suburbs”. However, Smart News Agency said that there were no reports of…

Summary

Published
10 October 2016
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Incident Date

10 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1429

Location

Karam al Jabal, Aleppo, Syria
حي كرم الجبل
According to local sources, the city of Karam al-Jabal in Aleppo was struck by artillery strikes that led to the deaths of three civilians. All sources but one - Shaam News Network (who blamed both Russia and the regime) pointed to the regime as the culprit. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights "three…

Summary

Published
10 October 2016
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Incident Date

9 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1425

Location

Al Zhahiria, Idlib, Syria
الظاهرية
Three children died in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on al-Zhahiria village, according to local media. According to LCCSY, "three children were martyred as Russian warplanes carried out thermobaric missile attacks on #Zhahiria village in the western suburb”. This claim was repeated by many other sources. There was no information available on the identity…

Summary

Published
9 October 2016
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Incident Date

9 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1426

Location

Al Ghassania, Idlib, Syria
الغسانية
Local sources reported that aerial shelling in al-Ghassania, outside Idlib, killed one woman and injured 15 more civilians. While most sources attributed this civilian casualty event to Russia, there were also allegations against the Syrian regime. According to The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “warplanes shelled  Al-Ghassania village in Idlib and killed a woman and…

Summary

Published
9 October 2016
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Incident Date

9 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1423

Location

Salheen (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
حي الصالحين
Three men died in an airstrike on the al-Salheen neighbourhood in Aleppo, according to sources on the ground. The majority of sources attributed the event to the Assad regime, though there was one allegation against Russia. LCCSY reported that “three civilians were martyred and others were seriously injured due to Russian airstrikes with cluster bombs…

Summary

Published
9 October 2016
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Incident Date

9 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1424

Location

Douma, Damascus, Syria
دوما
Local media reported that an alleged Russian airstrike on the suburb Douma in Damascus wounded several civilians, though there were no claims of fatalities. According to the Shaam News Network, “Russian warplanes raids in both eastern and western Ghouta caused fires but no reports of civilian casualties. Activists said there were two raids in the…

Summary

Published
9 October 2016
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