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

18 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1168

Location

Hamidia, Deir Ezzor, Syria
الحميدية
Local media reported an unspecified number of civilian deaths in alleged Russian airstrikes on Hamida, Sinaa and Kanamat in Deir Ezzor. According to LCCSY, “The Russian aviation raided a gas station near Dawar Al-Halabiah and Al-Orwa gas station in the town of Al-Ginenah, while another raid struck the town of Ayyash in the western countryside.…

Summary

Published
18 August 2016
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Incident Date

18 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1169

Location

Salheen (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
حي الصالحين
Up to eight civilians including one child died in a casualty event in the Al Slaheen neighbourhood of Aleppo, local sources reported – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were to blame. According to Syria News Desk: “seven civilians were killed and five wounded in the Al Salheen neighbourhood…

Summary

Published
18 August 2016
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Incident Date

17 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1167

Location

Idlib, Idlib, Syria
إدلب
Fifteen named civilians were among those killed in multiple airstrikes on Idlib, local media reported. Sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible – though the event was referred to as a “horrific massacre” in several reports. Dozens more civilians were said to have been wounded. A popular market, “the…

Summary

Published
17 August 2016
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Incident Date

17 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1166

Location

Al Qaterji (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
القاطرجي
Between three and six civilians including women and children died and up to 12 more were wounded in airstrikes on al Qaterji, local media reported. The victims included the 10-year-old child  who later died from injuries sustained in the attack. His brother, Omran Daqmeesh, was also wounded when the strike hit the family home –…

Summary

Published
17 August 2016
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Incident Date

17 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1165

Location

Tareeq Al Bab neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
طريق الباب
An unspecified number of civilians died in airstrikes on Aleppo’s Tareeq Al Bab neighbourhood, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible. @DamasCoordinate and @ShahbaPress blamed Russia. Arabic.cnn reported that both Russia and the regime had carried out strikes. A number of other sources…

Summary

Published
17 August 2016
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Incident Date

17 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1164

Location

Arbeen, Aleppo, Syria
At least two children died and up to dozens more civilians were wounded in airstrike on Arbeen – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. According to Halab Today TV, a 12 year old boy was killed and four others were injured in the Russian raids. The…

Summary

Published
17 August 2016
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