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

10 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1120

Location

Hatla, Deir Ezzor, Syria
حطلة
Up to ten civilians were killed, including "a woman and her four daughters", and 20 more injured in airstrikes on the town of Halta, according to sources on the ground – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. Both The Shaam News Network (SNN) and…

Summary

Published
10 August 2016
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Incident Date

10 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1121

Location

Idlib, Idlib, Syria
إدلب
Reports estimated that between 11 and 23 civilians were killed and between 30 and 70 more were injured airstrikes on Idlib City – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Assad regime were to blame. Responsibility for the strikes was attributed to both regime and Russian warplanes by the Syrian Network for Human Rights…

Summary

Published
10 August 2016
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Incident Date

10 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1119

Location

Urma al Kubra, Aleppo, Syria
أورم الكبرى
Between two and 11 civilians including women and children were killed, and up to 30 more injured by airstrikes on the town of Orme al Kubra, according to local media – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Assad regime were to blame for the casualties. The Syrian Network for Human Rights gave conflicting…

Summary

Published
10 August 2016
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Incident Date

9 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1118

Location

Mheimidiya, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between 15 and 30 civilians were killed, including three children and four women, and between 20 to 40 wounded – some critically – by an aerial bombardment of the town of Mahimideh, local media reported. The majority of sources attributed the event to the Assad regime. However, four airstrikes were conducted by planes that were…

Summary

Published
9 August 2016
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Incident Date

9 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1117

Location

Taqad, Aleppo, Syria
تقاد
One civilian was killed by warplane rockets, according to Halab Today and VDS-SY. A further two civilians were also injured in the attack, according to the Smart News Agency. Sources attributed the attack to Russian warplanes, and reported that fires broke out in civilian homes. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

Published
9 August 2016
View Incident

Incident Date

8 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1116

Location

Idlib, Idlib, Syria
إدلب
Multiple sources reported that between four and five civilians including two women died and up to 12 others were injured in four raids on Idlib City – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. The majority of sources attribute the raids to Russia. However, The…

Summary

Published
8 August 2016
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