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

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

RS0871

Location

Kafr Halab, Aleppo, Syria
كفر حلب
Five civilians died in an airstrike on Kafr Halab, 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 Russian bombing“. It put…

Summary

Published
6 June 2016
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Incident Date

6 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0870

Location

Jisr al Haj roundabout (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
دوار جسر الحج
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 toll in Jisr al Haj at three civilians – though it did not say whether the Syrian regime or Russia were responsible. Smart and Shahba Press also attributed the…

Summary

Published
6 June 2016
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Incident Date

6 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0869

Location

Marjah (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
حي ‏المرجة‬
Between two and four civilians died in an airstrike on the Marja neighborhood of Aleppo, according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the regime. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, “suspected Russian warplanes” killed four civilians when they fired missiles on the…

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