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

2 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0834

Location

Kafr Jaless farmlands, Idlib, Syria
كفرجالس‬
Three civilians from one family died and several others were injured when farmlands at Kafr Jaless were hit with airstrikes, said reports by local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. According to Syrian Press Center, “Russian warplanes launched air strikes on houses…

Summary

Published
2 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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Incident Date

2 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0833

Location

Binnish, Idlib, Syria
بنش
Seven non-combatants from the same family died in an airstrike on Banis, according to local sources  – though reports are conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible. LCCSY said that a family of seven died in a strike by Russian warplanes using cluster bombs. Iraq gate also put the death toll…

Summary

Published
2 June 2016
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Incident Date

1 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0831

Location

Khan Al Assal (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
حي خان العسل
Three civilians including one child died and five more were injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on Khan Assal, according to local sources. Orient News put the death toll at three and said that one of those killed was a child. It blamed Russia. Step News Agency also said that Russia was responsible, while SRG…

Summary

Published
1 June 2016
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Incident Date

31 May 2016

Incident Codes

CS220 RS0830

Location

Manbij, Aleppo, Syria
منبج
As many as 15 civilians including at least three children reportedly died in Coalition airstrikes in support of a major Kurdish ground offensive against Daesh near Manbij. Citing the Syrian Observatory, Reuters noted that “U.S.-led air strikes in support of the ground operation [reportedly] killed 15 civilians including three children near Manbij in the past…

Summary

Published
31 May 2016
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Incident Date

31 May 2016

Incident Code

RS0827

Location

As Sukhnah, Homs, Syria
السخنة
A single source, LCCSY, reported that nine civilians were killed in Homs – “most of them in Russian airstrikes on Sukhnah city”. No further details are presently known.  

Summary

Published
31 May 2016
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