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

12 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1136

Location

Kafr Naha, Aleppo, Syria
كفر ناها
Between one and six civilians were killed and at least an additional six civilians were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on August 12th, which reportedly struck a vegetable market in Kafr Naha town in the Western part of Aleppo governorate. Despite the numbers of civilian casualties reported, only one adult male was named by the…

Summary

Published
12 August 2016
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Incident Date

12 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1135

Location

Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Syria
كفر حمرة
Airstrikes reportedly destroyed a Pediatrics and Gynecology hospital on 12th August 2016 in Kafr Hamra. At least three civilians were killed, and seven or more wounded, mostly members of a medical staff, women, or children. Some of the personnel working in the hospital were affected; both a nurse and an ambulance driver were killed in…

Summary

Published
12 August 2016
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Incident Date

12 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1134

Location

Teir Ma'ala, Homs, Syria
تير معلة
At least one civilian was killed and between seven and 15 others were wounded from airstrikes on the village of Teir Ma’ala, specifically a makeshift hospital in the village. The majority of sources attributed the attacks to Russian warplanes, but @Talbisah2011 blamed regime jets. A local media activist named Kenan Abu Osama described the incident: “I…

Summary

Published
12 August 2016
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Incident Date

11 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1129

Location

Ramousa, Aleppo, Syria
الراموسة
At least one civilian was killed and four others were injured in airstrikes and artillery fire on the Ramousa neighbourhood in Aleppo, local media reported. Most sources attributed the airstrikes to Russian aircraft, which reportedly carried out eight air raids, though there was also an allegation against the Assad regime. Syrian Network for Human Rights…

Summary

Published
11 August 2016
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Incident Date

11 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1130

Location

Khan Shaykhun, Idlib, Syria
خان شيخون
Between five and six civilians – four from the same family – were killed and at least two others were wounded by more than two airstrikes on the city of Khan Sheikhoun, local media reported. Sources were conflicted as to whether the planes belonged to Russia or the regime. Most of those injured were reportedly…

Summary

Published
11 August 2016
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Incident Date

11 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1128

Location

Bazza square, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
ﺣﻠﺐ
Reports estimated that between eight and 10 civilians were killed and an additional five to 13 more wounded, including two children, in airstrikes on Bazza square in Old Aleppo, according to local media. The majority of sources blamed the regime for the event, though one blamed Russia and a significant number of others didn’t identify…

Summary

Published
11 August 2016
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