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 DatePublication Date

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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Incident Date

17 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1019

Location

Khalidiya, Aleppo, Syria
الخالدية
According to a single source, LCCSY, two civilians died in three alleged Russian strikes in Aleppo’s Al Khalidiya neighbourhood. No further details are currently available.

Summary

Published
17 July 2016
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Incident Date

17 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1020

Location

Hatla, Deir Ezzor, Syria
حطلة
Three civilians died in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on the villages of Hatla and al Salhiya in Deir Ezzor, according to sources on the ground. Euphrates Post reported three were killed and five wounded - they blamed Russia, as did the Smart News Agency. Ara News, however, said that the regime carried…

Summary

Published
17 July 2016
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Incident Date

16 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1018

Location

Omar Bin Abdul Aziz Hospital, Maadi neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
مشفى عمر بن عبد العزيز في حي المعادي، ﺣَﻠَﺐ
According to local sources, there were injuries to medical staff and material damage to the Omar Bin Abdul Aziz Hospital in the Maadi neighbourhood in Aleppo on July 16th 2016 after an alleged Russian or Syrian regime missile targeted the healthcare facility. Other local sources, such as Radio Al Kul and @salqin also described that…

Summary

Published
16 July 2016
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Incident Date

16 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1013

Location

Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria
حريتان
Artillery and warplane shelling bombarded Hryatan leaving between three to four civilians dead, local media reported. According to Halab News, Step and Al Jazeera, this was the work of the Assad regime. However, TurkArab Now blamed Russian warplanes for the airstrike. Al-Marsad News put the death toll at four. However the Syrian Observatory for Human…

Summary

Published
16 July 2016
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Incident Date

16 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1015

Location

Izaz, Aleppo, Syria
أعزاز‎
A Civil Service Defence Quarter was put out of service when two warplanes fired missiles on Izaz, Aleppo, a town close to the Turkish border in northern Aleppo. Up to  five civilians including a child reportedly died in the attack, which caused extensive destruction to the building and injured several Civil Defence workers. Ara News…

Summary

Published
16 July 2016
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