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

22 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1033

Location

Akeirbat, Hama, Syria
عقيربات
A single source, LCCSY, said that there were: “‪#‎Hama‬ martyrs and wounded reported due to targeting the township of ‪#‎Aqrabiyat‬ and the village of ‪#‎Soha‬ in the eastern suburbs with 5 Russian airstrikes.” However, further research indicated that there were no civilian casualties in Akeirbat, but up to seven in Soha on July 22nd (see…

Summary

Published
22 July 2016
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Incident Date

22 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1035

Location

Soha, Hama, Syria
سوحا
Syrian Press Center claimed that five airstrikes were carried out in Soha village killing and injuring civilians. Multiple sources including Alamawi and SMO News reported that it was Russian warplanes which attacked Soha village. However, both Radio AlKul and LCCSY blamed the Assad regime for the raids. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and Smart News both…

Summary

Published
22 July 2016
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Incident Date

22 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1034

Location

Jisr al-Shughur, Idlib, Syria
جسر الشغور
One civilian was killed and nine more were injured in an airstrike by alleged Russian warplanes on Jisr al Shoughour, according to local media. Jisrtv reported that the attack occurred between 1.00 and 1.06. All reports claimed to sight Russian warplanes, who reportedly carried out cluster missile attacks on Jisr al Shoughour. According to Smart…

Summary

Published
22 July 2016
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Incident Date

21 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1031

Location

Idlib, Idlib, Syria
إدلب
Russian and Assad regime warplanes continued to attack Idlib on July 21st, killing up to another six civilians, according to sources on the ground. The Smart News called the bombardment a massacre and also commented that the raids began in the night continuing on from the 20th of July. Images published by the Shaam News…

Summary

Published
21 July 2016
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Incident Date

21 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1029

Location

Al Tiba (Al Taibah), Homs, Syria
الطيبة‎
Local media reported that five civilians died – a woman and her four children – in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on Al Tiba village, Homs. Although there were only two sources reporting this incident on July 21st 2016, they are both credible. LCCSY reported “‪#‎Homs‬ a woman and her four children were martyred…

Summary

Published
21 July 2016
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Incident Date

21 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1030

Location

Al Mashad (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
حي المشهد
Between six and nine civilians died in alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes on Aleppo’s Al Mashhad neighbourhood, according to sources on the ground. The majority of reports, including Al Jazeera, Buraq Media and Syrian PC, blamed the Assad regime for the airstrikes. According to reports, there was both shelling and the use of explosive barrels…

Summary

Published
21 July 2016
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