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

27 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0949

Location

Al Muhandissin, Aleppo, Syria
المهندسين
One child died and several other civilians were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on al-Muhandissin, according to local media. Halab Today said that  “a child was martyred and another injured following the targeting of Russian planes of al Muhandissin countryside in the western Aleppo countryside”. Two independent sources attributed the strike to Russia while…

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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Incident Date

26 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0947

Location

Mahdum, Aleppo, Syria
المهدوم
Seven civilians including up to four children died in an alleged Russian airstrike on the city of Mahdoum, according to local media. The majority of sources reported the deaths of children and women. According to Aleppo24, “4 children and 3 women were killed and others injured in an air raid thought to be Russian that…

Summary

Published
26 June 2016
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Incident Date

26 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0946

Location

Az Zarbah, Aleppo, Syria
الزربة
Local media reported that an airstrike on the town of al-Zirba killed one civilian, and wounded several others, though it is currently unclear whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime. Both Halab News Network (HNN), Thiqa News Agency and Halab news identified the victim by name, and many media, such as…

Summary

Published
26 June 2016
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Incident Date

26 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0945

Location

Kafr Halab, Aleppo, Syria
كفر حلب
According to local media, airstrikes hit the town of Kafr Halab leading to the death of one named girl and the injury of three other children. None of the sources held the Syrian regime responsible, but five known sources attributed the strike to Russia. The girl was identified by three sources: LCCSY, Halab News Network and…

Summary

Published
26 June 2016
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Incident Date

26 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0944

Location

Binnish, Idlib, Syria
بنش
Airstrikes killed up to two civilians including at least one child and wounded up to ten others in the city of Binish, local media said. Sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime. Most local sources reported the death of up to two children. According to The…

Summary

Published
26 June 2016
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