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 Date Publication Date

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

8 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1421

Location

Heesh, Idlib, Syria
حيش
According to local media, an airstrike on Heesh village near Idlib killed a family of four: a father, mother and two children - though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were to blame. One report claimed that there were five deaths. According to the Shaam News Network, the strikes hit a…

Summary

Published
8 October 2016
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Incident Date

8 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1420

Location

Al Masra'a al Thania, Aleppo, Syria
Five civilians including two children and up to three women died in an alleged Russian airstrike on the town Al-Mazra’a Al-Thania near Maskana in Aleppo, according to sources on the ground. According to the Syrian Press Center, “two children were killed and others wounded due to warplanes shelling in Al-Mazra’a Al-Thania and the sugar factory…

Summary

Published
8 October 2016
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Incident Date

8 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1422

Location

al Balat, Aleppo, Syria
البلاط
According to local media, the neighbourhood al-Balat in Aleppo was hit by air and/or artillery strikes which led to the death of one child and the injury of several more people, including the child’s father. Sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime, although the majority of…

Summary

Published
8 October 2016
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Incident Date

8 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1419

Location

Rasim al Eis, Aleppo, Syria
Up to two civilians were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on  Rasum al Eis village in Aleppo, according local media. The strikes also reportedly wounded a number of people, including children. Most sources put the death toll at one. For example Halab Today said that “one person was martyred and three children were wounded…

Summary

Published
8 October 2016
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Incident Date

6 October 2016

Incident Codes

CS329 RS1417

Location

Al Siassah Bridge [exact location], Deir Ezzor, Syria
جسر السياسية
On Thursday, October 6, 2016, one civilian was killed and several others were injured when warplanes bombed Al-Siassah bridge over the Euphrates river in Deir Ez-Zawr, in eastern Syria. Reports cited both Coalition and Russian forces, although CENTCOM reported the destruction of two supply routes in Deir Ezzor for October 5th-6th. Sham News Network reported…

Summary

Published
6 October 2016
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