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 Date Publication Date

Incident Date

10 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1251

Location

Bab al Nayrab (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
One civilian died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Aleppo’s Bab al Nairab neighbourhood, according to a single source. Halab Today reported a Russian strike killed one civilian. However, both Syriansnews and Buraq media said that there had been no civilian casualties, and did not identify the culprit of the strike.

Summary

Published
10 September 2016
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Incident Date

10 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1255

Location

Salahuddin, Aleppo, Syria
Up to 10 civilians including three named children from the same family died and as many as dozens more were wounded in an airstrike on Aleppo’s Salahudeen neighbourhood, according to local media. The majority of sources blamed Russia, though a report by Buraq media which cited the use of “explosive barrels” in the attack means…

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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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

9 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1249

Location

Shamico, near Kafr Naha, Aleppo, Syria
كفر ناها
Up to two civilians died and several more were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on a mosque in Shamico near Kafr Naha, according to local media. Sources reported that cluster bombs were used in the attack and that civilian homes were destroyed. The majority of sources referred only to “warplanes”, though Smart and Syria…

Summary

Published
9 September 2016
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Incident Date

9 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1250

Location

Sukkari (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
حي السكري
One civilian died and in an unspecified number more were wounded in an airstrike on the al Sukkari neighbourhood in Aleppo, according to local media. A number of sources blamed Russia, though others referred only to “warplanes”, while one source, Alburaq, reported that both “Russian and Syrian warplanes killed a civilian”. According to Smart Russia…

Summary

Published
9 September 2016
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