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

11 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0890

Location

Kaljibrin, Aleppo, Syria
كلجبرين‬
One child died and other civilians were injured in an airstrike on Kaljibrin, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime. However, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, the regime was responsible. They didn’t list any fatalities, but they…

Summary

Published
11 June 2016
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Incident Date

11 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0895

Location

Al Kalassa (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
حي الكلاسة
Two civilians including one child were killed and other civilians were injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Kalassa, according to local sources. LCCSY and Qasioun were among sources blaming Russia for the death of a child. According to Baladi, two civilians died and four were wounded – it also attributed the incident to Moscow. Other…

Summary

Published
11 June 2016
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Incident Date

11 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0893

Location

Hor, Aleppo, Syria
حور
One girl died and many others were injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on Hor. The Shaam News Network blamed Russia, but provided no further details. According to Pressbshalmoon, a “little girl” died and “many others” were injured in a Russian raid. A number of other sources also said a child died, but didn’t identify the culprit.

Summary

Published
11 June 2016
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Incident Date

11 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0894

Location

Haydariya (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
الحيدرية
Between one and six civilians died in either an airstrike on artillery bombardment on Haydariya, according to local sources – though it was unclear from reports whether Russia or the Syrian regime was responsible. Reporting on the deaths of civilians in Aleppo from “Russian aircraft and Assad’s helicopters“, the Shaam News Network said that “shelling…

Summary

Published
11 June 2016
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Incident Date

11 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0892

Location

Urma al Kubra, Aleppo, Syria
أورم الكبرى
Between three and eight non-combatants including two children, a woman and a member of the White Helmets died and dozens more were injured in raids on Orm al Kubra, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime. LCCSY reported that four civilians including…

Summary

Published
11 June 2016
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Incident Date

11 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0891

Location

Anjara, Aleppo, Syria
‏عينجارة‬
Two children were killed in airstrikes on Anjara, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted and confused as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian Regime. LCCSY initially reported that the strikes were Russian, killing two children and wounding other civilians when homes were targeted with cluster bombs. However,…

Summary

Published
11 June 2016
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