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

24 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0662

Location

Ltamenah, Hama, Syria
اللطامنة
One civilian was killed in an airstrike on Ltamenah according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime was responsible. A citizen journalist, Mohammad Hamaoui, posted a video showing a missile reportedly dropped by a Russian warplane. And according to Zaman Masdar, “Russian warplanes launched an attack…

Summary

Published
24 February 2016
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Incident Date

24 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0663

Location

Saraqib, Idlib, Syria
سراقب
One to three civilians were killed and several more injured in airstrikes on Saqaib according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether the attack was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. Shaam News Network posted photos in which it said Russia was responsible. Other sources, including Alsouria and Al…

Summary

Published
24 February 2016
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Incident Date

24 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0664

Location

Zamalka, Damascus, Syria
زملكا
Five civilians including two to three children died in airstrikes on Zamalka according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. In a news roundup, Shaam News Network reported that “Russian enemy planes carried out intense strikes on the clash areas and…

Summary

Published
24 February 2016
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Incident Date

24 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0665

Location

Ariha, Idlib, Syria
أريحا
Between 8 and 15 civilians including one woman and one to two children died – and dozens more were injured – in airstrikes on a market in Ariha, according to multiple local sources. Reports are conflicted as to whether the attacks were carried out by Russia or the Assad regime, with one source saying that…

Summary

Published
24 February 2016
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Incident Date

24 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0666

Location

Haranbush, Idlib, Syria
حرنبوش
Up to four civilians including a mother and her one or two children died in airstrikes on Haranbush, according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. Among the sources alleging that this was a Russian strike were Chamtime, Syrian Revolution and…

Summary

Published
24 February 2016
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Incident Date

24 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0667

Location

Al Atarib, Aleppo, Syria
الأتارب
Between three and nine civilians including up to three children were killed in airstrikes on Al Atarib, according to local sources, though reports are conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. Shaam News Network reported that Russia warplanes targeted civilian homes  “in the vicinity of the city of…

Summary

Published
24 February 2016
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