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

8 July 2016

Incident Code

RS0978

Location

Salheen (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
حي الصالحين
A petrol station was destroyed causing huge fires in Salheen following alleged Russian and Syrian regime warplane shelling, reportedly killing up to six civilians including three children. Burqa Media, LCCSY and local sources reported that Russian warplanes caused the damage to the neighbourhood. But Halab News reported the raids to be conducted by the Syrian…

Summary

Published
8 July 2016
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Incident Date

8 July 2016

Incident Code

RS0979

Location

Kafr Naha, Aleppo, Syria
كفر ناها
One child died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Kafr Naha, according to local media. Halab Today and Orient News blamed Russia. Syria_Feed reported on shelling and heavy machine guns, while all other sources claimed only shelling.

Summary

Published
8 July 2016
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Incident Date

6 July 2016

Incident Code

RS0977

Location

Jisr al-Shughur, Idlib, Syria
جسر الشغور
Three children died and seven more civilians were wounded in airstrikes on Jisr al Shoughour, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. Reports said ‘the national hospital in Jisr al Shoughour’ or ‘a field hospital’ was struck, along with the Sakan Al-Shababi…

Summary

Published
6 July 2016
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Incident Date

5 July 2016

Incident Code

RS0976

Location

Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria
حريتان
On July 5th 2016, alleged shelling by either Russian and/or Syrian regime warplanes, killed up to four civilians. According to Step News and Al Jazeera there were no reported casualties, however Janoubia News reported one female casualty, and Halab Today named one male civilian casualty - yet the age is not specified. Further to this,…

Summary

Published
5 July 2016
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Incident Date

5 July 2016

Incident Code

RS0975

Location

Hayan, Aleppo, Syria
حيان
One civilian died in an airstrike on Hayan, local media said – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. Naser Altamimi tweeted that “Russian and Syrian warplanes hit Hayan”, while the Shaam News Network said that “Russian warplanes and regime helicopters launched intense and violent raids on the towns…

Summary

Published
5 July 2016
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Incident Date

4 July 2016

Incident Code

RS0973

Location

Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Syria
كفر حمرة
Reports said both Russian and Syrian regime warplanes caused destruction to Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, “before Iftar” (sunset) on July 4th, killing between four and seven civilians including two young girls. Multiple sources including Al Jazeera described the use of missiles, explosive barrels and cluster bombs, which caused destruction to the local community of not only…

Summary

Published
4 July 2016
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