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

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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Incident Date

8 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1246

Location

Khan Shaykhun, Idlib, Syria
خان شيخون
Up to five civilians including as many as four children died and dozens more were wounded in airstrikes on Khan Sheikhoun, according to local media – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. Qasioun reported the death of a female child, blaming the regime. Other sources also…

Summary

Published
8 September 2016
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Incident Date

8 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1244

Location

Yaked al A'adas, Aleppo, Syria
ياقد العدس
One female child died and several other civilians were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Yaked al A’adas, according to local media. The majority of sources blamed Russia, though several did not identify the warplanes responsible for the event. According to reports the girl was originally from Aleppo.

Summary

Published
8 September 2016
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Incident Date

8 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1245

Location

Sabkha al Mo, Homs, Syria
Three civilians – a woman and two men – died in an alleged Russian airstrike on a car in Sabkha al Moh, local media reported. According to the Shaam News Network, “Russian planes targeted a civilian car carrying traveling bedouins [one woman and two men] in the area around Sabkha al Moh south of the…

Summary

Published
8 September 2016
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Incident Date

7 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1242

Location

Tadif, Aleppo, Syria
تادف
Up to 19 civilians including six children died and up to 50 more were wounded in air and/or artillery strikes on Tadef in Aleppo, according to local media. Sources were conflicted as to who was responsible: the majority blamed Russia (citing the use of cluster bombs), though there were also allegations against the Syrian regime…

Summary

Published
7 September 2016
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Incident Date

7 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1243

Location

Sukkari (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
حي السكري
As many as 28 civilians died and up to 57 more were wounded in airstrikes on the Sukkari neighbourhood in Aleppo, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible. Sources reported three or four raids, with the lowest civilian death toll given as 12…

Summary

Published
7 September 2016
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