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

20 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1296

Location

Khan Touman, Aleppo, Syria
خان طومان
Between 14 and 18 civilians, mostly emergency doctors and nurses, were killed in an attack on a medical centre in Khan Tuman, Aleppo, local sources reported. Most reports alleged Russian warplanes were responsible for the attack, which specifically targeted the centre. However, the Syrian Network for Human Rights also pointed to the regime in some…

Summary

Published
20 September 2016
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Incident Date

20 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1293

Location

Sukkari , Aleppo, Syria
حي السكري
Between two and five civilians including a child and up two women died and several more were wounded in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on Aleppo's Al Sukkari neighbourhood, according to local media. Al Jazeera said that a six-storey building was destroyed in the attack. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights,…

Summary

Published
20 September 2016
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Incident Date

20 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1294

Location

Marjah (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
حي ‏المرجة‬
Between one and four civilians were killed, and between two and thirteen wounded, when cluster and barrel bombs struck al Marja in Aleppo, according to local media. Some sources accused Russian warplanes, while others claimed regime helicopters were involved. The Syrian Observatory for Human referred to one fatality, while Twitt-book News counted four. @Radioharafm tweeted,…

Summary

Published
20 September 2016
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Incident Date

19 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1285

Location

Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
ميادين
Five to six civilians including several children were killed in airstrikes on Al Mayadeen, outside Deir Al-Zour, local sources reported. All but one source blamed Russia for the event. Step News said “four civilians were killed and others injured in a similar raid targeting al Jaish street and Al Haram street near al Saraya in…

Summary

Published
19 September 2016
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Incident Date

19 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1286

Location

Al Tabani, Deir Ezzor, Syria
التبني
According to local media, six or seven civilians were killed and several more wounded by warplanes in al Tabani, Deir Ezzor. Sources were conflicted as to the responsible party, with most agreeing the planes were Russian. Most sources claimed six dead. For instance, Jisir TV tweeted “six martyrs in the town of Al Tabani”, and…

Summary

Published
19 September 2016
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Incident Date

19 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1287

Location

Hor, Aleppo, Syria
حور
Local media reported that 15 civilians including three children died and dozens more were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Hor, outside Aleppo - though sources were conflicted as to whether Russian warplanes of regime helicopters dropping barrel bombs were to blame. Several sources reported twelve fatalities: for instance, Shahed-ayan news stated…

Summary

Published
19 September 2016
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