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

23 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1193

Location

Al Mashad (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
حي المشهد
Between three and five civilians died and dozens more were wounded in airstrikes on Aleppo’s Mashhad neighbourhood, according to local media – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the regime. Local media outlets said that a popular bakery had been struck. LCCSY initially reported that Russia carried…

Summary

Published
23 August 2016
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Incident Date

22 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1192

Location

Sukkari (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
حي السكري
Up to 14 civilians including women and children died and as many as dozens more were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Sukkari, according to local media. Multiple sources reported that residential homes were struck and that fires broke out causing significant material damage. One source added that “the main market” was hit. The…

Summary

Published
22 August 2016
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Incident Date

22 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1191

Location

Kafr Naha, Aleppo, Syria
كفر ناها
Two children died and up to nine other civilians were wounded in airstrikes on Kafr Naha, according to sources on the ground – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible. Halab Today reported that “at least two children were wounded in cluster bomb raids”. However, Smo-sy, @HalabTodayTV and…

Summary

Published
22 August 2016
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Incident Date

22 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1190

Location

Al Ansari (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
الأنصاري
Local media reported that between two and six civilians died in an alleged Russian airstrike on the Al Ansari neighbourhood of Aleppo. The lowest death count was given by the Syrian Network for Human Rights – at two non-combatants. However, all other sources said that six civilians died. The majority of the reports blamed Russia,…

Summary

Published
22 August 2016
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Incident Date

22 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1189

Location

Ramousa, Aleppo, Syria
الراموسة
Two civilians died and at least five more were wounded in an airstrike on the road leading to the neighborhood of Ramousa, south of of the city of Aleppo, local media reported – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. However, the majority of sources…

Summary

Published
22 August 2016
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Incident Date

22 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1188

Location

Maarat al Naasan, Idlib, Syria
معارة النعسان
Between five and 19 civilians were killed, including two women and two to three children, and several others were injured from airstrikes that struck Maarat al-Naasan. Among those killed were seven members of the same family. Following the airstrikes, the civil defense teams were mobilized to rescue those trapped in the rubble and transport them…

Summary

Published
22 August 2016
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