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 Date Publication Date

Incident Date

7 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0878

Location

Muhassan, Deir Ezzor, Syria
الموحسن
Five civilians including two or three women and one child died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Muhassan, according to local sources. Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently named two female victims and alleged "they were killed in Russian Raids". Gulfeyes named two additional victims (though did not identify the warplanes responsible). Additionally, LCCSY reported on June 11th that…

Summary

Published
7 June 2016
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Incident Date

7 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0875

Location

Yaqid al Adas, Aleppo, Syria
ياقد العدس
One civilian was killed and several others injured when Russian warplanes struck Yaqid al Adas with cluster bombs, according to local sources. LCCSY, Syrianpc and Baladi were among sources blaming Russia. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that warplanes carried out raids on Yaqid al Adas, but did not provide any further details.

Summary

Published
7 June 2016
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Incident Date

7 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0876

Location

Maarat al Numan, Idlib, Syria
مَعَرَّة النُّعْمَان
Two civilians - a child and a woman - died in an airstrike on Maarat al Numan, according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime. LCCSY said that one civilian died and several others were wounded in a suspected Russian strike.…

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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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

6 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0864

Location

Ziban, Deir Ezzor, Syria
ذيبان‬
On June 8th, a single source, Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently, reported that a civilian died from wounds sustained in an alleged Russian strike a few days previously. No further details are currently available.

Summary

Published
6 June 2016
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