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

10 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0889

Location

Jaideen, Raqqa, Syria
جعيدين
Multiple sources reported that one woman and three children were killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on Jaideen. The Shaam News Network said that “Russian raids  targeted the town of Jai’deen leading to the death of four martyrs – a woman and three of her children”. However, the Syrian Network for Human Rights…

Summary

Published
10 June 2016
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Incident Date

10 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0888

Location

Anadan, Aleppo, Syria
عندان
Two civilians died and eight more were injured airstrikes on Anadan, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible. The Shaam News Network reported that “Russian warplanes carried out several air strikes with cluster bombs” on Anadan, killing two civilians and wounding another eight…

Summary

Published
10 June 2016
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Incident Date

10 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0887

Location

Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria
حريتان
Up to four civilians including one woman and one child died in an airstrike on Hraytan, according to local sources – though it’s unclear form reports whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible. LCCSY, pointed towards Russia, saying that  one civilian died as a result of “shelling by vacuum missiles and cluster bombs“. A later…

Summary

Published
10 June 2016
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Incident Date

10 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0886

Location

Castello Road, Aleppo, Syria
Four or five civilians died in an airstrike on Castello road, according to local sources – though it’s unclear rom reports whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible. A report by LCCSY said that five civilians died in an alleged Russian airstrike. But Almokhtasar, Syrianpc and LCCSY were among other sources who blamed the regime. RadioAlkul said that the regime carried…

Summary

Published
10 June 2016
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Incident Date

9 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0885

Location

Al Jazmati (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
حي ‏الجزماتي‬
Three civilians including a child and a woman died and dozens more were injured when non-combatants’ homes were struck by airstrikes in the Al Jazamati neighborhood of Aleppo, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted or unclear as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime. LCCSY blamed Russian strikes…

Summary

Published
9 June 2016
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Incident Date

9 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0883

Location

Sukkari (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
حي السكري
According to LCCSY and Alamwai, one child and an elderly man were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on the Sukkari neighborhood in Aleppo.  

Summary

Published
9 June 2016
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