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

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

RS1091

Location

Kafr Takharim, Idlib, Syria
كفرتخاريم
One woman died in an airstrike on Kafr Tkharim and the surrounding countryside on the August 2nd, according to sources on the ground. Most sources attributed the event to Russia, though one said that barrel bombs had been dropped on the area, meaning that regime involvement can’t be ruled out. LCCSY and Baladi Network both…

Summary

Published
2 August 2016
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Incident Date

2 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1090

Location

Sukkari (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
حي السكري
According to sources, both Russian and Assad regime aircraft carried out missile attacks on Al Sukkari at noon on August 2nd 2016. Sources stated that not only artillery, but rocket launchers, missiles and a vacuum missile were used in the raid on the neighbourhood. Only one source reported that the aircraft was Russian. Multiple sources…

Summary

Published
2 August 2016
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Incident Date

2 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1087

Location

Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
ﺣﻠﺐ
According to Syria News Desk, “three media opposition activists were killed yesterday while covering the fighting south of Aleppo, one of them a reporter for Step News agency. They were killed as a result of Russian warplanes targeting the building they were inside.” No further details are currently available.  

Summary

Published
2 August 2016
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Incident Date

2 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1089

Location

Al Atarib, Aleppo, Syria
الأتارب
Between 11 and 42 civilians died and dozens more were wounded in an airstrike on a popular market in Al Atarib, according to local media. Most sources blamed Russia, though there was some confusion in the reporting with the Syrian Network for Human Rights pointing to both Moscow and then the regime. Some other sources…

Summary

Published
2 August 2016
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Incident Date

1 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1085

Location

Bab al Nayrab (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
حي باب النيرب
Three civilians were reported killed in an airstrike on Bab al Nairab on August 1st, 2016, according to multiple sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were to blame. LCCSY reported that three civilians were killed and several others wounded “due to the targeting of Bab Nairab neighbourhood…

Summary

Published
1 August 2016
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