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

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

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

3 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1221

Location

Khan al Subbul, Idlib, Syria
خان السبل
Up to five civilians died and as many as 20 were wounded in airstrike on Khan Al-Subbul in Idlib governorate, according to sources on the ground – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime. In one report, LCCSY blamed the regime but then appeared to…

Summary

Published
3 September 2016
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Incident Date

3 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1219

Location

Filon, Idlib, Syria
فيلون
Two civilians died and several others were wounded in an airstrike on Filon in Idlib governorate, according to sources on the ground – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. Both Halab Today and LCCSY attributed the event to Russia. However, Assabeel blamed the regime. Syrian News…

Summary

Published
3 September 2016
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Incident Date

3 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1220

Location

Idlib, Idlib, Syria
إدلب
Two civilians were killed and several more were wounded in an airstrike on Idlib city, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Radio Alkul and the Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed the regime, putting the death…

Summary

Published
3 September 2016
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Incident Date

2 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1218

Location

Douma, Damascus, Syria
دوما
Up to four civilians including at least one woman and her child died in an airstrike on Douma, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime. The majority of sources, including Qasioun, the Smart News Network, the Syrian Press Centre and…

Summary

Published
2 September 2016
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