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

1 July 2016

Incident Code

RS0969

Location

Tareeq al-Bab (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
حي طريق الباب
Heavy shelling by warplanes was reported on the commercial market of Tareeq al Bab. Sources blamed either Russian and Syrian Regime warplanes, or both. Strikes reportedly killed between 12 and 30 civilians with “dozens injured.” The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported the use of missiles and blamed the regime for the destruction. According to…

Summary

Published
1 July 2016
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Incident Date

30 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0966

Location

Deir ez-Zor, Deir Ezzor, Syria
دير الزور
Local media reported that up to four civilians died and several more were injured in an airstrike on Deir Ezzor – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. According to one source, Al Jisrtv, ISIS mortars also hit the governorate on this day. The Syrian News Network reported  that…

Summary

Published
30 June 2016
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Incident Date

30 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0963

Location

Al Maghayer (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
حي المغاير
Two children were killed and up to dozens more were wounded as a result airstrikes on the city al-Maghayer outside of Aleppo, local media reported – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime. Aleppo White Helmets reported  that “a short while ago a missile fell…

Summary

Published
30 June 2016
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Incident Date

30 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0964

Location

Baghdad street, Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria
حريتان
Local media reported that alleged Russian airstrikes in Baghdad street in Hraitan outside of Aleppo killed three civilian men and wounded several more. According to Halab Today TV, “three civilians were martyred following the targeting of Baghdad street in the town of Hraitan in Aleppo”.  Radio al-kul added that the strikes left several wounded. LCCSY,…

Summary

Published
30 June 2016
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Incident Date

30 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0965

Location

Al Atarib, Aleppo, Syria
الأتارب
Two civilians died including one child and several more people were wounded in airstrikes on Atareb, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. Sources reported that the victims were father and daughter. According to LCCSY the two were killed after "Russian warplanes…

Summary

Published
30 June 2016
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Incident Date

29 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0958

Location

Khan al Sheikh, Damascus, Syria
خان الشيح‬
Local sources reported airstrikes targeted the Palestinian refugee camp Khan al-Sheikh, leading to the death of at least six civilians including one child and one woman. Sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame for the attacks. The highest death toll was given by Radar News, who reported eight…

Summary

Published
29 June 2016
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