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

19 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1024

Location

Deir ez-Zor, Deir Ezzor, Syria
دير الزور
Four civilians died in an airstrike on Deir Ezzor, according to local reports. There was, however, only one source (LCCSY) that pointed to possible Russian involvement. The Syrian Human Rights Committee published the names of four victims killed by “warplanes” in Deir Ezzor on July 19th, these are listed below.

Summary

Published
19 July 2016
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Incident Date

19 July 2016

Incident Codes

CS273a RS1027

Location

Idlib, Idlib, Syria
إدلب
In what has been described as a massacre, committed by both Russian and Assad regime and coalition warplanes, between 10 and 23 civilians were killed and as many as 35 more wounded on July 19th in Idlib city. Other sources claimed that the Coalition was involved in the incident. According to Shaam News Network the…

Summary

Published
19 July 2016
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Incident Date

19 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1028

Location

Idlib, Idlib, Syria
إدلب
Raids continued overnight from the 19th to the 20th of July in Idlib, and Idlib City, killing up to 23 civilians, according to sources on the ground. Alamawi reported that missiles were continually fired throughout the night and into the next morning. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported sighting helicopters dropping explosive barrels after midnight on…

Summary

Published
19 July 2016
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Incident Date

19 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1026

Location

Bab al Nayrab (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
حي باب النيرب
What has been described as a ‘bombardment’ on Bab al Nairab reportedly killed six civilians, including an unborn child. – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were to blame. Qasioun filmed as an explosive barrel was thrown on the neighbourhood, which is also located very close to an airport.…

Summary

Published
19 July 2016
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Incident Date

19 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1025

Location

Al Atarib, Aleppo, Syria
الأتارب
In a major civilian casualty event, 23 named civilians died and up to 50 more were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on an industrial area in Al Atareb, Aleppo. There were no allegations against the Assad regime. Death counts rose as reports emerged. Jisrtv reported seven killed, while Enab Baladi put the figure at “more…

Summary

Published
19 July 2016
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Incident Date

18 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1023

Location

Al Maysar, Aleppo, Syria
In multiple alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes which struck residential buildings, in Aleppo’s Al Maysar neighbourhood, a family of five and an elderly man were reportedly killed. BBC reported that “according to opposition source, Russian warplanes launched extensive shelling in Kafr hamra and Al-Maysar.” AMC News blamed the Assad regime for the strike, while…

Summary

Published
18 July 2016
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