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

12 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1132

Location

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
الرقة‎
Seven named civilians died and up to 50 more were wounded in multiple alleged Russian airstrikes on Raqqa, according to local media. According to @lebanon4_com, 30 civilians died in the Russian strikes, though the Violations Documentation Center put the number at seven. @DoumaRevolution added that 50 more civilians were wounded in 12 raids.

Summary

Published
12 August 2016
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Incident Date

12 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1133

Location

Tal Adeh, Idlib, Syria
تلعادة
Between five and nine civilians were killed, including children, and between 10 and 15 more were injured from two air raids that targeted the town of Tal Adeh in the Idlib countryside. Baladi News published a video depicting volunteers searching the rubble for survivors of the airstrikes. Local sources were conflicted as to who was…

Summary

Published
12 August 2016
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Incident Date

12 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1139

Location

Souq al Hal, Raqqa, Syria
منطقة المتحف وسوق الهال
Between four and six civilians died and as many as dozens more were wounded in airstrikes on Souq al-Hal near the town of Orme al-Kubra, according to local media – though it was unclear whether Russia or the regime were responsible for the casualties. The Smart News Agency and All4syria for among sources blaming Russia.…

Summary

Published
12 August 2016
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Incident Date

12 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1138

Location

Hayyan, Aleppo, Syria
حيان
Another hospital was reportedly struck on 12th August 2016. At least 12 civilians including four women and between eight and ten children died, and up to 15 more were injured, in five air raids launched against the town of Hayyan, according to sources on the ground. The children’s hospital was reportedly destroyed by the airstrikes,…

Summary

Published
12 August 2016
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Incident Date

12 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1137

Location

Darat Izza, Aleppo, Syria
دارة عزة
Two male children were killed and several more wounded, including women and children, from airstrikes targeting the town of Dara Azza. Local sources, including Halab Today and @AleppoNN, identified Russian planes as responsible for the airstrikes. However, DMC published footage showing “the moment explosive barrels” – a weapon known to be used by the Assad…

Summary

Published
12 August 2016
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Incident Date

12 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1131

Location

Al Fardous (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
الفردوس
Between five and 20 civilians were killed and up to 30 more were wounded, including women, when warplanes launched two airstrikes against the neighbourhood of Fardous. The airstrikes reportedly struck the local market. Syrian Newsdesk and @RadioAlKul blamed Russian warplanes. However, All4Syria and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported the use of barrel bombs…

Summary

Published
12 August 2016
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