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
Order results by:
Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

25 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0943

Location

Kharbat al A'mika, Hama, Syria
خربة العمقية
According to local reports, an alleged Russian airstrike on Kharbat al-A’mika killed between three and 11 civilians and wounded a number others. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that the airstrike killed one entire family: “The bombing on the village (…) resulted in the killing of five individuals from the same family [four children…

Summary

Published
25 June 2016
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Incident Date

25 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0939

Location

Maarat al Arteek, Aleppo, Syria
معارة الارتيق
An alleged Russia airstrike killed up to two civilians and left a number of others wounded in the city of Maarat al-Artiq, local media reported. Multiple sources blamed Russia for the event, though several referred only to “warplanes”. According to @HalabNewsN there were two Russian strikes.

Summary

Published
25 June 2016
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Incident Date

25 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0940

Location

Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Syria
كفر حمرة
According to local media, one woman was killed and up to ten other civilians were injured from an airstrike on Kafr Hamra. The majority of sources reported that the strike was Russian, however, the Blog Amin News said that it was carried out by the Syrian regime. The source also said that ‘Syrian children were…

Summary

Published
25 June 2016
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Incident Date

25 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0941

Location

Al Khirba (al A'mika), Hama, Syria
الخربة‬
Local sources reported the deaths of up to 11 civilians, including five children, in airstrikes on the two villages of Al Khirba and Al A’lkamiya. It is contested with the Syrian Regime by one source, Arabi21, however most sources, attributed the strike to Russia. LCCSY named five of the killed civilians, including four children.

Summary

Published
25 June 2016
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Incident Date

24 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0937

Location

Sheikh Ahmad, Aleppo, Syria
‏الشيخ احمد‬
Between two and three civilians including up to two children and one woman died in an airstrike on Sheikh Ahmad, according to local reports – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible. The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SN4HR), Halab Today and Syria2011 attributed the event to Russia.…

Summary

Published
24 June 2016
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Incident Date

24 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0938

Location

Urma al Kubra, Aleppo, Syria
أورم الكبرى
According to a range of local media reports, between two and six civilians including up to two children and three women were killed and up to 45 civilians were injured in an airstrike on Urma al Kubra. There are conflicting statements as to whether the airstrike was conducted by the Syrian or the Russian regime.…

Summary

Published
24 June 2016
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