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 DatePublication Date

Incident Date

8 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0880

Location

Al Bayan hospital, Al Shia'ar (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
حي الشعار
Between eight and 18 civilians died and dozens more were injured when strikes hit the Al Shia’ar neighborhood in Aleppo, including Al Bayan hospital – with doctors, patients and members of the White Helmets among the casualties. The incident looks to have been carried out by the Syrian regime – with the majority of the…

Summary

Published
8 June 2016
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Incident Date

8 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0879

Location

Salheen (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
حي الصالحين
Three civilians including one woman died and six others were injured in an airstrike on Salheen, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was an attack by Russia or the Syrian regime. According to an initial report by LCCSY, three civilians including a woman were killed and several others injured in Russian…

Summary

Published
8 June 2016
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Incident Date

8 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0881

Location

Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Syria
كفر حمرة
Seven civilians including  two children died in airstrikes on Kafr Hamra, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was an attack by Russia or regime forces. LCCSY reported that Russian strikes had killed four civilians, with one “infant body” being dug out from the rubble – though a second…

Summary

Published
8 June 2016
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Incident Date

8 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0882

Location

Marjah (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
حي ‏المرجة‬
Up to six civilians including two women and two children died and dozens more were injured in raids on the Marja neighborhood of Aleppo, according to local sources – though it is unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that four civilians including two women died…

Summary

Published
8 June 2016
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Incident Date

7 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0873

Location

Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
ﺣﻠﺐ
Several civilians died in alleged Russian strikes on various locations across Aleppo during the second day of Ramadan, according to local sources. The Shaam News Network reported that Russian warplanes and regime helicopters “launched air raids using phosphorous and cluster bombs and explosive barrels on the cities of Huraytan and anadan and towns of Hayan…

Summary

Published
7 June 2016
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Incident Date

7 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0874

Location

Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria
حريتان
Local sources said that two civilians died in an airstrike on Hraytan – though reports are conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime. The White Helmets published a video and image of them extinguishing a fire in a “civilian car” which they said had been caused by “helicopters…

Summary

Published
7 June 2016
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