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 Date Publication Date

Incident Date

13 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0901

Location

Idlib, Idlib, Syria
إدلب
Five or six civilians died and dozens more were injured in an airstrike on idlib, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the regime – or possibly both parties. An initial report by The Shaam News Network said that Russian warplanes targeted the “medical…

Summary

Published
13 June 2016
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Incident Date

12 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0900

Location

Maarat al Numan, Idlib, Syria
مَعَرَّة النُّعْمَان
A mother and four or more of her children were among those killed in an airstrike on Maarat al Numan, local media reported – the majority of sources blamed the Syrian regime for the attack, though some sources attributed the event to Russia. The Shaam News Network blamed Moscow, reporting: “The city of Maarat al…

Summary

Published
12 June 2016
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Incident Date

12 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0898

Location

Al Kalassa (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
حي الكلاسة
One girl died and one other unidentified civilian died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Kalassa, according to local media. SRG_syria, @freesyria28 reported the death of a child in what they said was a Russian raid. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights was among other sources who didn’t identify the warplanes responsible for the strike. The…

Summary

Published
12 June 2016
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Incident Date

12 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0899

Location

Idlib, Idlib, Syria
إدلب
Between 17 and 40 civilians died including up to 18 children – and up to 100 others were wounded – in airstrikes on one of the largest vegetable markets in Idlib, according to multiple local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether this major casualty incident was the work of Russia or the…

Summary

Published
12 June 2016
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Incident Date

11 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0897

Location

Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria
حريتان
Up to six civilians including a member of the White Helmets and a child died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Hraytan, according to local sources. LCCSY said that four non-combatants were killed in a Russian raid. @azazmedia2011 was among sources who said that Russia used phosphorous bombs. The Shaam News Network also put the death toll…

Summary

Published
11 June 2016
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Incident Date

11 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0896

Location

Qabasin, Aleppo, Syria
قباسين
Between six and ten civilians died and dozens more were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Qabasin, according to local media. According to the Shaam News Network, “Activists said Russian warplanes targeted a popular market crowded with civilians in the city of Qabasin, north of Al Bab city in the eastern Aleppo countryside, leaving six…

Summary

Published
11 June 2016
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