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

11 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1264

Location

Al Hamdiya, Idlib, Syria
الحامدية
An unspecified number of civilians were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Hamdiya village, sources on the ground reported. According to Shahba, “Many civilians were wounded due to Russian warplanes shelling in Al-Hamediya village in southern Idlib”. Step News added that “Russian planes targeted the edges of al Hamdiya village south of Maarat al…

Summary

Published
11 September 2016
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Incident Date

11 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1265

Location

Al Fardous (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
الفردوس
According to Syria News Desk, “seven civilians were killed and dozens wounded in an initial toll following Russian warplane shelling on a vegetable market in al Ferdos neighbourhood in the centre of Aleppo city.” LCCSY also reported that Russia shelled al Ferdos, but made no mention of civilian harm.  

Summary

Published
11 September 2016
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Incident Date

11 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1266

Location

Salheen (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
حي الصالحين
Up to eight civilians including three children died and as many as dozens more were wounded in airstrikes in Aleppo’s Al Salheen, neighbourhood according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible. The Smart News Agency, Umayya and Step News Agency were among sources blaming…

Summary

Published
11 September 2016
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Incident Date

10 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1262

Location

Kafr Zita or Latamenah (Hama) or Idlib, Hama, Syria
Up to 16 civilians – with four or five from one family – died in shelling on Latamenah, according to local media. However, there were allegations against both Russia and the Syrian regime. It was reported that Kafr Zita was under regime artillery shelling – with possible regime strikes also reported in Latamnah. According to…

Summary

Published
10 September 2016
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Incident Date

10 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1253

Location

Idlib, Idlib, Syria
In a major civilian casualty incident, up to 65 civilians (of which 52 were named) including at least 10 children and 11 women from multiple families died and as many as 100 more were injured in airstrikes on Idlib city, which reportedly centred on a popular vegetable market in the city. The majority of reports…

Summary

Published
10 September 2016
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Incident Date

10 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1254

Location

Jisr al-Shughur, Idlib, Syria
Between two and three civilians including a girl died and as many as dozens more were wounded in an airstrike on Jisr al Shoughour, local media reported – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible. According to Baladi, “10 people were injured due to regime warplanes shelling with…

Summary

Published
10 September 2016
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