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

7 March 2016

Incident Code

RS0718

Location

Urma al Kubra, Aleppo, Syria
أورم الكبرى
Six civilians including two to three children and one woman died in alleged Russian airstrikes on Orm al Kubra according to multiple local sources. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported a “massacre due to suspected Russian forces shelling on regime forces shelling in Owrm Al Kubra town in Aleppo governorate in March 7“. It said…

Summary

Published
7 March 2016
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Incident Date

7 March 2016

Incident Code

RS0719

Location

Palmyra, Homs, Syria
تدمر
Two civilians – one woman and a child – died in an airstrike on Palmyra according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were to blame. Shaam News Network reported: “Russian planes supported Assad’s forces by bombing clash points. They targeted the city of Palmyra with…

Summary

Published
7 March 2016
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Incident Date

6 March 2016

Incident Code

RS0715

Location

Faihan, Aleppo, Syria
فيحان
Between eight and 17 civilians died in a strike on Faihan according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that four non-combatants including two children from the same family died when suspected Russian warplanes fired missiles on…

Summary

Published
6 March 2016
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Incident Date

6 March 2016

Incident Code

RS0712

Location

Bza'a village, Aleppo, Syria
بزاعا
Up to four non-combatants died in alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Bza’a, according to local sources. SY_Post said Russian warplanes conducted three raids on the village.

Summary

Published
6 March 2016
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Incident Date

6 March 2016

Incident Code

RS0716

Location

Shahnasa village, Aleppo, Syria
شنهصة
Up to four civilians died in an alleged Russian strike on the village of Shahnasa, according to local sources. HNN named Karim Hussein al-Abdullah as a victim and said three more unidentified people were killed in a Russian strike. DCHRS also named Karim Hussein al-Abdullah and added that three unidentified victims died. It too blamed…

Summary

Published
6 March 2016
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Incident Date

6 March 2016

Incident Code

RS0713

Location

Fikha village, Aleppo, Syria
فيخة
Three non-combatants including a child died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Fikha, according to local sources. Syriashuhada said three unidentified civilians died in a Russian strike. HNN also put the death toll at three, attributing the incident to Russia. According to Alamwai a child was among the three fatalities, though didn’t say who carried…

Summary

Published
6 March 2016
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