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

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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Incident Date

1 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1083

Location

Marjah (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
حي ‏المرجة‬
Three civilians were killed and several others injured, including women and children, in alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime airstrikes on Al Marja, according to local sources. According to HNN Russian planes carried out several raids “leading to the death of three people and causing material damage”. The Shaam News Network reported that “activists said the…

Summary

Published
1 August 2016
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Incident Date

31 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1082

Location

Jeb al Qebr, Aleppo, Syria
According to LCCSY, “Russian warplanes, along with Assad’s warplanes and helicopters, committed a massacre that claimed the lives of 16 people when they targeted the Medical Center the  Job_Qebba‬ neighborhood and houses in the ‪‎Ansari‬ and ‪Sukkari‬ neighborhoods with dozens airstrikes and barrel bombs”. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

Published
31 July 2016
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Incident Date

31 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1081

Location

Anadan, Aleppo, Syria
عندان
Four civilians died and seven others were wounded in airstrikes on Anadan, local sources said, though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. Most of the sources, however, attributed the event to Russia. According to a Facebook post by Anadan Hospital, “Russian warplanes shelled the hospital with parachute…

Summary

Published
31 July 2016
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Incident Date

30 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1075

Location

Kafr Naha, Aleppo, Syria
كفر ناها
Between five and seven civilians died and dozens more were injured in an airstrike on Kafr Naha, local media reported – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible. The majority of sources “Qasioun, Sadaaltwhed, Halab News, Alamawi, Jisr tv, Syrian Press Center) pointed towards Russia, with death counts varying between…

Summary

Published
30 July 2016
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Incident Date

30 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1076

Location

Al Atarib, Aleppo, Syria
الأتارب
According to a single source, HNN, one civilian died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Atarib. No further details are currently available.

Summary

Published
30 July 2016
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