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 DatePublication Date

Incident Date

2 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1092

Location

Saraqib, Idlib, Syria
سراقب
Russian and Assad regime helicopters allegedly dropped what were reportedly exploding chloride barrels on a residential neighbourhood in Saraqeb in Idlib at 23.20 on Tuesday August 2nd. The Shaam News Network reported that this attack was a “revenge for the killing of a number of Russian officers after their helicopter crashed in the vicinity of…

Summary

Published
2 August 2016
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Incident Date

2 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1093

Location

Tall Sultan, Idlib, Syria
تل سلطان
Following on from the deadly chloride attack on Saraqeb on August 2nd, Tal al Sultan village was also reportedly hit on the same day by alleged Russian and Assad regime warplanes. According to Syria Direct, these raids were part of the same wave of attacks which blanketed Idlib as part of a revenge attack. Al…

Summary

Published
2 August 2016
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Incident Date

2 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1094

Location

Sarmin, Idlib, Syria
سرمين
On August 2nd, the raids continued in Idlib, with alleged Russian and Syrian regime warplanes shelling a residential neighbourhood in Sermin, killing a further four civilians, sources on the ground reported. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, both warplanes and helicopters carried out the strikes. The Shaam News Network (SNN) reported that this…

Summary

Published
2 August 2016
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Incident Date

2 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1088

Location

Bdama, Idlib, Syria
بداما
One person died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Bdama, according to local media. Photographic evidence from the Syrian Civil Defence showed the examination of what appears to be a Russian ballistic missile, containing cluster bombs.The director of the Civil Defence in Bdama reported that “the Russian barges struck Alchgrh village with a ballistic missile,…

Summary

Published
2 August 2016
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Incident Date

1 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1084

Location

Khan al Sheikh, Damascus, Syria
خان الشيح‬
Five civilians were killed and dozens more wounded in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes on Khan al Sheikh, local media reported. According to Halab Today, “four civilians from one family were martyred following Russian air strikes targeting Khan al Sheikh camp for Palestinian refugees in the western Damascus countryside.” The Syrian Network for Human Rights…

Summary

Published
1 August 2016
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Incident Date

1 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1086

Location

Abu al Duhur, Idlib, Syria
أبو الظهور
More than 10 civilians were killed in alleged airstrikes in Abu al Duhur, close to the location of a downed Russian warplane, according to multiple sources. Reports are conflicted as to whether Russian or Assad regime forces were responsible for the deaths. Syria Newsdesk reported that “Russian warplanes targeted with more than 30 raids the…

Summary

Published
1 August 2016
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