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

16 September 2016

Incident Codes

CS314 RS1274

Location

Maskanah, Aleppo, Syria
مسكنة
Up to five civilians reportedly died in an air raid on Maskanah which most sources said involved cluster munitions. Egypt Today put the death toll at five, "including a woman and her two daughters and her child". Reportedly, the strikes injured up to 12 civilians, including six children. While most reports blamed Russia, Baladi News claimed…

Summary

Published
16 September 2016
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Incident Date

16 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1275

Location

Dayr Hafir, Aleppo, Syria
دير حافر‎
Four civilians of whom between two or four were children died in alleged Russian airstrikes on Dayr Hafer, Aleppo, local media reported. Halab News said that the four victims were from the family of Hussein al Allawi al Kiyari. According to LCCSY, “warplanes, believed to be Russian, launched several airstrikes on Abu Souseh village, which…

Summary

Published
16 September 2016
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Incident Date

16 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1276

Location

Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria
حريتان
Up to eight civilians died in air or artillery strikes on Hraitan, according to local media – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Assad regime were to blame. Only one source – LCCSY – explicitly said that Russia was responsible, reporting that “12 people were killed in Aleppo, most of them in Russian…

Summary

Published
16 September 2016
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Incident Date

16 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1277

Location

Talbisah, Homs, Syria
تلبيسة
Five named civilians including one child and a woman died and up to eight more were wounded in alleged Russian or Assad regime air and artillery strikes on Talbissa, Homs, according to sources on the ground. Syria News Desk reported that “three young men were killed and five others wounded today after cluster bombs dropped…

Summary

Published
16 September 2016
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Incident Date

15 September 2016

Incident Codes

CS313 RS1272

Location

Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
ميادين
In what was widely reported as a Russian action, at least 27 civilians died and more than 70 were injured following airstrikes on Al Mayadeen. Almost all sources including Daesh blamed Russia. Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered said 6 Russian planes carried out 20 strikes between them, including on a children’s playground. Shaam News added…

Summary

Published
15 September 2016
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Incident Date

15 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1271

Location

Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria
البوكمال
According to HNN, “20 civilians were killed in Russian raids on Abu Kamal.” However, Deir Ezzor 24 reported that “all news reporting a massacre in al Boukamal has been dismissed and is totally untrue.” USEmbassySyrau tweeted “ten raids by the coalition in Abu Kamal in Syria destroyed 29 targets of ISIS near Abu Kamal in…

Summary

Published
15 September 2016
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