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
4808 incidents
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Incident Date Publication Date

Incident Date

29 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0961

Location

Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria
الباب
Up to 13 civilians died and as many as 20 more were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Bab city, according to local media. Many sources reported that at least seven were killed. Qasioun reported that “Seven civilians were killed and several injured Thursday morning [June 29th], as a result of air strikes on…

Summary

Published
29 June 2016
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Incident Date

29 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0960

Location

Hayyan, Aleppo, Syria
حيان
Up to four civilians died and several more were wounded in airstrikes on Hayan in Aleppo, local media said – though most sources blamed Russia, there was also an allegation against the Syrian regime. Most sources reported the death of one civilian, while one source, LCCSY alleged the strikes led to four civilian deaths. Halab…

Summary

Published
29 June 2016
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Incident Date

29 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0957

Location

Al Kassih (Idlib), Idlib, Syria
الكسيح‬
Up to three civilians, including one child, died and several more were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Kassih, local media reported. According to Step News Agency, “warplanes launched air strikes on the Kasih neighborhood within the city of Idlib, killing at least two people and injuring many more.” LCCSY put the death toll…

Summary

Published
29 June 2016
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Incident Date

29 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0959

Location

Saraqib, Idlib, Syria
سراقب
Up to four civilians including a child died and as many as five more were wounded in airstrikes on the outskirts of Saqabib, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. LCCSY, Syria News Desk, Qasioun and al-AMAWI blamed Russia.   Regarding the…

Summary

Published
29 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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Incident Date

28 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0955

Location

Al Kabina area, Latakia, Syria
منطقة كباني "الكبينة"
Airstrikes in the al-Kabina area outside of Lattakia led to the death and injury of several civilians, local media reported. According to Syria News Network “intense airstrikes by the Russian Aviation occurred alongside clashes which targeted areas controlled by the rebel regions. A number of civilians were killed and wounded, and civilian homes were targeted…

Summary

Published
28 June 2016
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