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

2 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1390

Location

Jeb al Qubba, Aleppo, Syria
جب القبة
SMO News reported that “Russian warplanes shelling targeted Al-Shawqi hospital in Jib Al-Quba and destroyed it. Some people were killed and others wounded.” Likewise Al-Jazeera reported how the hospital was left destroyed after the strikes. There are no other details available at this time.

Summary

Published
2 October 2016
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Incident Date

2 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1392

Location

Al Sakhour (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
الصاخور
According to local media, alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes hit and destroyed a major hospital in al-Sakhour in Aleppo, killing up to four civilians and wounding 15 more. Al Jazeera reported: “Russian and Syrian warplanes shelled  the biggest hospital still working in Eastern Aleppo, destroying it and forcing it out of service, as well…

Summary

Published
2 October 2016
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Incident Date

2 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1389

Location

al Halak, Aleppo, Syria
الهلّك
One civilian died and others were wounded in what most sources said was a Syrian regime artillery strike on Aleppo's al Halak neighbourhood. There was, however, one allegation against Russia. But @al-AMAWI, @Free_TV_Syria, Smart News Agency, Step News Agency, LCCSY and Halab News Network all pointed to a regime artillery strike causing civilian harm.

Summary

Published
2 October 2016
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Incident Date

2 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1388

Location

Al Ansari (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
الأنصاري
According to local media, up to four unidentified civilians died and as many as dozens more were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Aleppo's al-Ansari neighbourhood. According to Maser Press, “four civilians were killed and dozens wounded due to Russian warplanes shelling in Al-Ansari”. Other sources put the death toll at between one and…

Summary

Published
2 October 2016
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Incident Date

2 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1387

Location

Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria
Two civilians including a child died in an alleged Russian airstrike on the village of Hraitan outside of Aleppo, according to sources on the ground. The illegal use of cluster bombs was mentioned by several media, while all sources identified Russia as the culprit.    

Summary

Published
2 October 2016
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Incident Date

1 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1386

Location

Ltamenah, Hama, Syria
اللطامنة
Up to six civilians including a girl died in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on al Latamna, Hama, according to local media. Sources were not clear whether or not Khadija (Um Daher) and Hussein Al-Saleh (Abu Hussein) were two people or one person. In this instance they have been listed as two people. According…

Summary

Published
1 October 2016
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