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

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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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

RS1014

Location

Al Alamji, Aleppo, Syria
الألمجي
Warplanes struck Al Almaji, a residential neighborhood in Old Aleppo and killed between 10 and 11 civilians, including women and children. According to Horrya News and the Syrian Network for Human Rights, Assad warplanes launched the raids. However, Shahba News Agency and other local news sources reported the raids to be Russian. The Syrian Civil…

Summary

Published
16 July 2016
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Incident Date

16 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1012

Location

Anadan, Aleppo, Syria
عندان
According to LCCSY, “two martyrs, including a child, and several wounded were reported due to Russian airstrikes on Anadan city”. The Shaam News Network reported that Russia carried out raids on ” Anadan, Hraytan, Kafr Hamra, Mallah, Hayyan and Baleirmoon” but made no mention of civilian casualties.

Summary

Published
16 July 2016
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Incident Date

15 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1011

Location

Abu al Duhur, Idlib, Syria
أبو الظهور
Fourteen named civilians were killed as missiles were reportedly fired at residential buildings in Abu al Duhur town in Idlib. There is dispute over whether the attack was carried out by Russia or the Syrian regime, with Al Jazeera blaming both. According to All4Syria News, it was Russian warplanes that struck the area, and eight…

Summary

Published
15 July 2016
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Incident Date

14 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1007

Location

Tareeq al-Bab (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
حي طريق الباب
Shuhada’a Al-Aqsa Mosque was struck in east Aleppo and destroyed following an airstrike carried about by both Russian and Syrian regime warplanes, local media reported. The raid occurred in the morning of July 14th, according to the White Helmets. Between seven and ten civilians including an entire family were reportedly killed. Smart News and Shahba News…

Summary

Published
14 July 2016
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