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

6 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0872

Location

Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Syria
كفر حمرة
Four civilians died in an airstrike on Kafr Hamra, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. The Shaam News Network, reported that 21 civilians died in Aleppo “in the first day of Ramadan in regime and Russian bombing“. It put the death…

Summary

Published
6 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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Incident Date

6 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0866

Location

Al Shuhail, Deir Ezzor, Syria
الشحيل
Between three and six civilians including at least two children and one woman died in a airstrike on Al Shuhail, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible. Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently put the death toll at six. Some of their reports…

Summary

Published
6 June 2016
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Incident Date

6 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0863

Location

Al Oummal (Deir ez-Zor), Deir Ezzor, Syria
حي العمال
One woman died and several other civilians were injured in an airstrike on Al Oummal in Deir ez-Zor, according to local sources – though it was unclear from reports whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime. Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently named one of the victims “following the insane Russian bombardments…

Summary

Published
6 June 2016
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Incident Date

6 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0867

Location

As Sukhnah, Homs, Syria
السخنة
Five children died in airstrikes on Asl Sukhnah, according to two local sources. The Shaam News Network reported that “warplanes believed to be Russian” struck civilians homes killing five individuals, most of them children in dawn raids. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Russian strikes killed five children, three of whom were siblings.…

Summary

Published
6 June 2016
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Incident Date

6 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0868

Location

Al Kalassa (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
حي الكلاسة
Five civilians including one child died in an airstrike or artillery shelling at Al Kalassa, according to local sources – though it was unclear from reports whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime. The Shaam News Network, reported that 21 civilians died in Aleppo” in the first day of Ramadan in regime and…

Summary

Published
6 June 2016
View Incident