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

6 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1234

Location

Meir Debsie, Idlib, Syria
معردبسي
Eight civilians including three children died and up to 20 others were wounded in shelling of Maer Debsie. Most sources attributed the event to the Syrian regime, though one blamed Russia. According to Zaman Alwasl, six died when the regime shelled “civilians’ residential houses from the side of motorway”. Enab Baladi, also blaming the regime,…

Summary

Published
6 September 2016
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Incident Date

6 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1238

Location

Al Salheen neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
الصالحين
Two members of the civil defense were killed and up to five other civilians were wounded in a raid on Al Salheen, according to local media – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime. According to the Smart News Network, “regime Helicopters targeted Al-Salheen with…

Summary

Published
6 September 2016
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Incident Date

6 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1233

Location

Anadan, Aleppo, Syria
عندان
One civilian male died in an alleged Russian airstrike on the grand mosque in Anadan, according to local media. On Sept 12th, HNN reported his death was "due to wounds sustained following Russian enemy raid on the Great Mosque in Anadan a week ago, he is from the town, and a civilian.” Other sources reported…

Summary

Published
6 September 2016
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Incident Date

6 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1237

Location

Hor, Aleppo, Syria
حور
Up to six civilians including two children and a woman died and up to 20 more civilians were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on Hor town, local media reported. According to LCCSY, “Russian warplanes launched airstrikes with vacuum missiles on Hor town in the western suburbs with led to the fall of four civilian martyrs…

Summary

Published
6 September 2016
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Incident Date

5 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1230

Location

Gharnata, Homs, Syria
غرناطة
Two civilians were killed and others wounded an alleged Russia airstrike on Ghirnata village, according to local media. Nabd Syria and LCCSY blamed Russian airstrikes for the death of two non-combatants. Other sources mentioned artillery and air strikes in the area but didn’t say who carried them out. However, Homs Media Center reported regime actions…

Summary

Published
5 September 2016
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Incident Date

5 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1229

Location

Ar-Rastan, Homs, Syria
الرستن‬
Up to three civilians including a child and a woman died and as many as ten others were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on al Rastan, according to local media. Syria1news1 tweeted an image of a man crying over his sister’s body following a strike. Like a number of sources, the report didn’t identify…

Summary

Published
5 September 2016
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