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

1 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1383

Location

Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Syria
كفر حمرة
Local sources reported that the village Kafr Hamra outside of Aleppo was struck by "four" alleged airstrikes which led to the death of one man. According to NabdTV "the Civil defence forces recovered the body of a senior citizen from the rubble which was stuck there for two days". A range of local media also…

Summary

Published
1 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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Incident Date

30 September 2016

Incident Codes

CS319 RS1380

Location

al Basira, Deir Ezzor, Syria
البصيرة
Between four to 20 civilians were reported killed and 12 or more injured after an alleged Coalition, Russian or Assad regime strike at al Basira, according to local media. A photograph published by Euphrates Post showed what appeared to have been a major strike in a built up area of the town. And a video…

Summary

Published
30 September 2016
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Incident Date

30 September 2016

Incident Codes

CS320 RS1381

Location

Al Shaheel, Deir Ezzor, Syria
الشحيل
Two or three children and an elderly woman died in an airstrike on a primary school at al Shaheel, according to local media – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of the Syrian regime, Russia or the US-led Coalition. Deir Ezzor 24, the Syrian Observatory and Euphrates Post reported only…

Summary

Published
30 September 2016
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Incident Date

30 September 2016

Incident Codes

CS321 RS1382

Location

Bokros, Deir Ezzor, Syria
بقرص
Up to 10 civilians including a family of four died following air raids on Bokros, according to sources on the ground. The Syrian regime, Russia and the Coalition were all blamed. According to Shaam News, “In the town of Bokros Coalition aircraft attacked houses belonging to civilians, which led to the death of four people,…

Summary

Published
30 September 2016
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Incident Date

30 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1377

Location

al Halak, Aleppo, Syria
Between one and seven civilians died in alleged Russian or Syrian regime air or artillery strikes on Aleppo's Al Halak neighbourhood, according to local media. Syrian Press Center reported both strikes by the regime and Russia: “The regime army positioned in al-Midan area targeted residential houses in the al-Hallak district on Saturday [Sept 30th] with…

Summary

Published
30 September 2016
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