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

13 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0386

Location

Zibdiyah (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
الزبدية
A children’s nursery was reportedly struck in a Russian airstrike at Zibdiyah – just a day after a similar incident in Damascus governorate. According to Al Jisr, “Russian airforce aggression also targeted a nursery in the Zibdiyah quarter of Aleppo which led to the deaths of 3 children.” Aleppo White Helmets said 20 children were…

Summary

Published
13 January 2016
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Incident Date

13 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0387

Location

Deir Sunbul, Hama, Syria
دير سنبل
Four civilians including a father and his two sons were killed in an airstrike on Deir Sunbul, in what the VDC said was a Russian action. According to Syria News, “a source said it was the first time that Russian planes targeted the village, which led to a state of fear and terror among the…

Summary

Published
13 January 2016
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Incident Date

12 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0369

Location

Harbnafsa, Hama, Syria
حر بنفسه
Eight civilians were killed and a number of others wounded in Harbnafsa, according to the Shaam News Network, which blamed Russian warplanes. However Orient TV, Zaman al Wasl and Step News said that regime artillery was responsible for the deaths.  

Summary

Published
12 January 2016
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Incident Date

12 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0377

Location

Ma’arasta Al Khan, Aleppo, Syria
معرسة الخان
At least 10 civilians including three women and two children were killed and ten to 12 wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on Ma’aratsa Al Khan, according to multiple sources. The targets appear to have included a civilian bus. The Shaam News Network reported that “Russian aircraft committed a massacre in the town of Ma’arasta Al Khan…

Summary

Published
12 January 2016
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Incident Date

12 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0378

Location

Saraqib, Idlib, Syria
سراقب
Four to five civilians including four women and one child were killed in an airstrike on Saraqib, according to multiple reports. While most sources blame Russia for the attack, others claim the Assad regime was responsible. Shaam News said Russian forces carried out a “massacre” in which five non-combatants including children died. It reported that this was…

Summary

Published
12 January 2016
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Incident Date

12 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0379

Location

Sarmada, Idlib, Syria
سرمدا
26 civilians including seven children and two to three women were killed – and up to 100 others injured – in airstrikes on Sarmada according to multiple sources. Shaam News reported on three incidents on Idlib on the same day (Maarat Al Numan, Saraqib, Sarmada), and said 13 non-combatants were killed and dozens injured in two strikes by Russian…

Summary

Published
12 January 2016
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