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

11 August 2016

Incident Codes

CS292 RS1127

Location

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
الرقة‎
In a major civilian casualty event, between 13 and 30 civilians were killed and up to 70 more injured from airstrikes from either a Russian or a Coalition strike on al Idkhar neighbourhood in Raqqa City. Both belligerents report bombing in the area. Raqaa is Being Slaughtered initially reported on the morning of August 11th:…

Summary

Published
11 August 2016
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Incident Date

11 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1126

Location

Al Dana, Idlib, Syria
الدانا
Seven civilians were killed and as many as dozens more were wounded in an airstrike on Al Dana, local media reported. Sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. LCCSY put the death toll at 11. Many sources attributed the airstrikes to regime planes, including Baladi, the…

Summary

Published
11 August 2016
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Incident Date

10 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1125

Location

Maraat Misrin, Idlib, Syria
معرة مصرين
Three air strikes with cluster bombs stuck the residential neighbourhood of Maarat Misrin and killed four named civilians including two children. According to Elfgr News, up to nine civilians were wounded, "some of whom were ministered to the hospital Al-Bab-Hawa border crossing". According to the Shaam News Network, “warplane strikes” carried out by “Assad’s and…

Summary

Published
10 August 2016
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Incident Date

10 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1124

Location

Saraqib, Idlib, Syria
سراقب
At least one male civilian was killed and between 3 and 10 were wounded by airstrikes on the town of Saraqib, according to local media. There are however multiple reports of the death of a female child too - she was not named. Multiple sources, including The Shaam News Network (SNN), identified both regime and…

Summary

Published
10 August 2016
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Incident Date

10 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1123

Location

Ariha, Idlib, Syria
أريحا
At least three airstrikes on Ariha killed between up to six civilians and wounded up to 20 more including five women, according to local media. The Syrian Network for Human Rights and Smart News Agency attributed the shelling to regime warplanes. The Smart News agency reported that “regime warplanes launched three raids on the city…

Summary

Published
10 August 2016
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Incident Date

10 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1122

Location

Maarat al Numan, Idlib, Syria
مَعَرَّة النُّعْمَان
At least five and as many as 11 civilians, including three children were killed by air raids carried out on August 10th in Maarat al Numan, local media reported. Additionally, ten to 30 other civilians were wounded from the air raids.The Shaam News Network identified the planes as being Russian warplanes. However, Alsouria and @Maaramc12…

Summary

Published
10 August 2016
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