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

4 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1222

Location

Sarmin, Idlib, Syria
سرمين
One civilian died and several others were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike with cluster bombs on Sarmin in Idlib governorate, according to local media. Alamawi, Rozana FM, Derynews, LCCSY and the Syrian Network for Human Rights all attributed the event to Russia, with many sources reporting the use of cluster bombs.

Summary

Published
4 September 2016
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Incident Date

4 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1226

Location

Kafr Naha, Aleppo, Syria
كفر ناها
Three civilians including one child died and up to seven more were wounded in an airstrike on Kafr Naha, according to local media – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. Anapress Smart, Syrian Press Centre and Halab Today all blamed Russia. However, Step News and the Syrian Network…

Summary

Published
4 September 2016
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Incident Date

4 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1223

Location

Leiramon, Aleppo, Syria
الليرامون
One or two civilians died and three were wounded in an airstrike on Lerimon in northern Aleppo, according to local media. The majority of sources including Shahba, Syriapost1, Alraya_n and Smart blamed Russia. However, the Shaam News Network pointed towards “Russian and Assad’s aircraft”.

Summary

Published
4 September 2016
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Incident Date

4 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1227

Location

Al Zorba, Aleppo, Syria
الزربة
One child died and other civilians were wounded in an airstrike on Al Zorba, according to local media. Most sources blamed Russia, though the Syrian Network for Human Rights pointed to both Russia and Syrian regime. Syrian Press Centre, Syrian News, Alwatan and the Smart News Agency all said that several civilians were wounded in…

Summary

Published
4 September 2016
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Incident Date

4 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1228

Location

Al Ansari (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
الأنصاري
Two or three civilians died and 10 more were wounded in shelling of Aleppo’s Al Ansari neighbourhood, local media reported – though it is unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible. According to Ara, Russia carried out an airstrike killing three civilians and wounding more than 10 others. Halab News also pointed to…

Summary

Published
4 September 2016
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Incident Date

4 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1224

Location

Maarat al Numan, Idlib, Syria
مَعَرَّة النُّعْمَان
Two civilians – a man and his daughter – died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Maarat al Numan, according to local media. Accordingly to LCCSY, the victims died following sustaining injuries in a Russian strike. Both Almuhajer and Abdulkaderhep tweeted graphic images of the victims receiving treatment in a medical facility. Step News Agency, SyriaMubasher,…

Summary

Published
4 September 2016
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