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

14 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1008

Location

Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Syria
كفر حمرة
The only surviving hospital in Kafr Hamra was struck and put out of service in alleged airstrikes by Russian and Syrian regime warplanes, which also reportedly killed up to ten civilians and wounded 20 more. Local news sources called the building Al Balad, and claimed it was a makeshift hospital, but the last remaining one…

Summary

Published
14 July 2016
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Incident Date

14 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1009

Location

Salheen (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
حي الصالحين
Up to seven civilians died in either an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on Al Salheen, local media reported. Smart News Agency  Shahba Press and AMC news all blamed Russia. Al Jazeera pointed to bot Russia and the Assad regime carrying out strikes in three neighbourhoods including Al Salheen, Fardous and Hanano. Alamawi, however,…

Summary

Published
14 July 2016
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Incident Date

14 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1010

Location

Al Buliyal, Deir Ezzor, Syria
البوليل
According to sources, an entire family of seven was killed overnight in their home in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on Bulial. However some reports allege the death toll to be as high as ten. Several reports said that “the warplanes targeted the Ayed Al-Jaloud house in Ruwayda neighbourhood east of the city.”…

Summary

Published
14 July 2016
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Incident Date

13 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1004

Location

Ariha, Idlib, Syria
أريحا
A Russian “vacuum missile attack” allegedly caused huge destruction in the local market of Ariha. Residential housing was reportedly also been damaged as a result of the airstrike. Many of the reports differed in the numbers given, however, it is most likely that up to 22 civilians were killed. There was only one mention of…

Summary

Published
13 July 2016
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Incident Date

13 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1005

Location

Ar-Rastan, Homs, Syria
الرستن‬
Up to 21 civilians died and as many as 55 more were wounded in a major civilian casualty event in Al Rastan, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. Syrian Press Center reported a Russian warplane carried out the raid, using missiles.…

Summary

Published
13 July 2016
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Incident Date

13 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1006

Location

Bleilramoun, Aleppo, Syria
الليرامون
Three civilians including two children died in either an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on Aleppo’s Baleirmoon neighbourhood, local media reported. According to Syrian Newsdesk, “Assad regime and Russian warplanes targeted Bleilramoun neighbourhood which is under opposition control north west of the city of Aleppo with several raids.” The Syrian Network For Human Rights blamed…

Summary

Published
13 July 2016
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