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

18 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1022

Location

Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Syria
كفر حمرة
Various sources reported that airstrikes on a residential area in Kafr Hama, Aleppo, killed up to three civilians, including one boy. BBC Arabic filed a report which read, “according to opposition source, Russian warplanes launched extensive shelling in Kafr Hamra”. Meanwhile, al Jazeera reported that both Russian and Assad regime warplanes were launching missiles in the…

Summary

Published
18 July 2016
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Incident Date

18 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1021

Location

Al Qaterji (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
القاطرجي
Up to 11 civilians including three children died and 15 more were wounded in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike which destroyed a four-story residential building in Aleppo’s Al Qaterji neighbourhood, local media reported. According to BNN, earth missiles and cluster bombs were both used in the airstrike. Smart News blamed Russian warplanes for…

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

RS1017

Location

Al Atarib, Aleppo, Syria
الأتارب
“People were torn apart”, reported Aletihad Press, in an airstrike which hit Al Atarib on 16th July 2016, the Western side of Aleppo. Local media put the death toll at between two and 20 civilians – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible for the civilian harm. SMO…

Summary

Published
16 July 2016
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Incident Date

16 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1016

Location

Al Fardous (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
الفردوس
An entire family was killed in a missile attack which took place in the afternoon of July 16th on Aleppo’s Ferdous neighbourhood, according to local media. Sources said that explosive barrels and missiles struck the area, though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. Orient news…

Summary

Published
16 July 2016
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