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 4,842 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.
4,842 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.
3,026 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

24 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1048

Location

Hakim hospital, Al Shiaar neighbourhood, Aleppo, Syria
One child died in an airstrike on Hakim hospital, a specialist children’s hospital in Aleppo - and reportedly the last remaining in the city. Sources alleged the hospital was targeted or struck twice in 12 hours. But it was not clear who was responsible, with sources pointing to both Russia and the Syrian regime.  A…

Summary

Published
24 July 2016
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Incident Date

23 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1041

Location

Souha, Hama, Syria
سوحا
Six civilians from one family, including a woman and four children, died in an airstrike on Souha in Hama, according to local media. Only one of the two sources (LCCSY), alleged that Russia was to blame. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights referred only to “warplanes”.

Summary

Published
23 July 2016
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Incident Date

23 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1039

Location

Al Maysar, Aleppo, Syria
Two civilians died and others were injured in a casualty incident in Al Maysar, Aleppo, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. According to SMO, Smart and LCCSY Russia was responsible. Smart alleged cluster bombs used in the attack.  However, Syriamubashar, A_Alhorane…

Summary

Published
23 July 2016
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Incident Date

23 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1040

Location

Halak, Aleppo, Syria
الهلّك
Local media reported that Russia shelled Hayak with cluster bombs, however, only once source (LCCSY) alleged that there had been a civilian casualty. It said that one civilian had died. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

Published
23 July 2016
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Incident Date

23 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1038

Location

Salheen (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
حي الصالحين
Local media reported that up to nine civilians died an two were injured in an airstrike on Salheen, Aleppo. Though it was unclear from reports whether Russia or the Assad regime were to blame, with most reports, such as Halab News, Zam al-wasl and LCCSY, referring to both “Russian and regime” warplanes.

Summary

Published
23 July 2016
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Incident Date

23 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1037

Location

Dahrat Awwad, Aleppo, Syria
ضهرة عواد
Alleged Russian warplanes and/or Assad regime helicopters were both reported to have dropped missiles on the neighbourhood of Dahrat Awwad, killing between 10 and 17 civilians and wounding at least 15 more. According to Ara News, 13 civilians were killed and “10s were injured”. A local news source put the number of killed civilians as…

Summary

Published
23 July 2016
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