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 DatePublication Date

Incident Date

3 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0847

Location

Bustan al Qasr (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
حي بستان القصر
One civilian died and at least one was injured in an air or artillery strike on Bustan al Qasr, according to locals sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible. The Shaam News Network, reported on alleged Russian raids with warplanes and helicopters across Aleppo and its…

Summary

Published
3 June 2016
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Incident Date

3 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0848

Location

Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Syria
كفر حمرة
Between one and five civilians died in an air or artillery strike on Kafr Hamra, according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. The Shaam News Network, reported on alleged Russian raids with warplanes and helicopters across Aleppo and its surrounding countryside. It…

Summary

Published
3 June 2016
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Incident Date

3 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0849

Location

Anadan, Aleppo, Syria
عندان
Two civilians died in an air or artillery strike on Anadan, according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. The Shaam News Network, reported on alleged Russian raids with warplanes and helicopters across Aleppo and its surrounding countryside. They said that this coincided…

Summary

Published
3 June 2016
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Incident Date

3 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0850

Location

Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria
حريتان
The Shaam News Network reported on alleged Russian raids with warplanes and helicopters across Aleppo and its surrounding countryside. It said that this coincided with “violent artillery shelling“, killing one civilian in the Hraytan neighbourhood. Anadanmedia, Abdullahzaidan, Jisr TV, Shahba Press, Qasioun and Radio Akul all blamed Russia.

Summary

Published
3 June 2016
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Incident Date

3 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0835

Location

Saraqib, Idlib, Syria
سراقب
Up to seven civilians including women and children died in an airstrike on Saraqib, according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime. LCCSY reported that one civilian died and several more were injured in an alleged Russian airstrike. Fresh Syria also…

Summary

Published
3 June 2016
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Incident Date

2 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0832

Location

Ariha, Idlib, Syria
أريحا
One woman died and between two and eight other civilians were injured in  airstrikes on Ariha, according to local sources. While most sources said that Russia was responsible, LCCSY blamed the Assad regime. The Shaam News Network reported that one woman was killed and two other civilians injured in Russian strikes on Ariha. Other sources,…

Summary

Published
2 June 2016
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