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

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

18 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1283

Location

Al Sakhour (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
الصاخور
Between one and three civilians including one woman and one child were killed, and several more wounded, by bombings carried out either by the Assad regime or Russian planes in the Al Sakhour neighborhood in Aleppo. According to Halab Today TV and SyrianPC, an unidentified child was also killed. Meanwhile, Shahba Press tweeted that a…

Summary

Published
18 September 2016
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Incident Date

17 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1282

Location

Al Salhiye, Deir Ezzor, Syria
الصالحية
Between three and four civilians died in an alleged Russian airstrike on the road outside al Salhiye, Deir Ezzor, local media reported. Step News Agency – who put the death toll at one – stated that “Russian military warplanes launched several raids.” Other outlets, such as @DeirElzor24 and @so_ria98, did not name the responsible party,…

Summary

Published
17 September 2016
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Incident Date

17 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1279

Location

Janat al Salama, Aleppo, Syria
جنات السلامة
Three children and one or two women, reportedly from the same family, were killed in the village of Janat al Salama, in the countryside of eastern Aleppo, according to local media. All sources but one blamed Russia for the event. The majority of reports agreed Russian warplanes were to blame. Shahbapress, for example, referred to…

Summary

Published
17 September 2016
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Incident Date

17 September 2016

Incident Codes

CS315 RS1281

Location

Tall Hassan, Aleppo, Syria
تل حسان
One named civilian died and between three and 15 others were injured in an airstrike on Tall Hassan’s main mosque, near Aleppo - though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia, the Assad regime or the US-led Coalition were to blame. Lens Young Manbij reported that “A short while ago a Coalition raid on the…

Summary

Published
17 September 2016
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Incident Date

17 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1278

Location

Al Rastan, Homs, Syria
الرستن‬
Four civilians died and several more were injured in alleged Russian or regime air or artillery strikes on Al Rastan, Homs, according to local media. Among sources attributing the event to Russia were Al Jazeera and Smart. However, many other reports, including those by @so_ria98, @ShahbaPress and LCCSY, pointed to the regime. Several sources, such…

Summary

Published
17 September 2016
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