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 DatePublication Date

Incident Date

27 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0950

Location

Urma al Kubra, Aleppo, Syria
أورم الكبرى
Local media reported that an alleged Russian strike on an aid store house in Urma al-Kubra killed one woman and wounded up to 12 other civilians. According to sources on the ground, the targeted building belonged the aid organisation “Big Heart”. Step News Agency said that “one of the refineries and a fuel oil plant…

Summary

Published
27 June 2016
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Incident Date

27 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0951

Location

Saraqib, Idlib, Syria
سراقب
One civilian died and another eight were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on Saraqib, local sources on the ground reported. According to Baladi, “Warplanes launched two raids targeting residential neighborhoods in the city with Saraqib, resulting in martyrs and eight wounded, White Helmets teams went to the place and worked to dig out one the…

Summary

Published
27 June 2016
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Incident Date

27 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0952

Location

Khan al Sheikh, Damascus, Syria
خان الشيح‬
Local media reported the death of one civilian and injury of four more people in alleged Russian airstrikes on Khan al Sheikh. According to Syrian Press Center “Russian planes carried out 24 air strikes, including the use of eight cluster strikes, on targeting Khan al Sheikh, resulting in civilian casualties, according to activists”. Smart News…

Summary

Published
27 June 2016
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Incident Date

27 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0953

Location

Al-Bab, Surgical Hospital, Aleppo, Syria
الباب
Local sources reported that two airstrikes hit the hospital in al-Bab city, causing the death of up to eight civilians, including two children and wounding up to 20 more. Included in the death count were up to five medics and two bodyguards. Sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or…

Summary

Published
27 June 2016
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Incident Date

27 June 2016

Incident Codes

CS243 RS0954

Location

Al Khafsa, Aleppo, Syria
الخفسة
Between five and 13 civilians died in airstrikes on Al Khafssa, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia, the US-led Coalition or the Syrian regime were to blame. The majority of sources, including HNN, @AJABreaking and @HalabNewsN blamed Russia. The Step News Agency, also attributed the event to Russia, put…

Summary

Published
27 June 2016
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Incident Date

27 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0948

Location

Talbisah, Homs, Syria
تلبيسة
According to local sources, up to six civilians died including a child in Talbissa and Ar-Rastan, though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. Elbiseh, Syrian Press Center and StepAgency identified on of the victims. LCCSY attributed the strike to Russia, while the twitter account KkhaledWw pointed to…

Summary

Published
27 June 2016
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