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

4,431 – 6,522

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 4,977 separate alleged incidents.

1,174 – 1,440
children likely killed
647 – 782
women likely killed
6,672
likely injured
3,500
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
15,841 – 25,260
Locally reported civilian deaths from Russian Military actions in Syria.
4,977 seperate alleged incidents
Confirmed or Fair
4,431 – 6,522
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by Russian Military
1,380 seperate alleged incidents
Weak
739 – 861
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Weak.
466 seperate alleged incidents
Contested
10,557 – 17,748
Civilian deaths for which the reporting is assessed by Airwars as Contested.
3,115 seperate alleged incidents
Discounted
114 – 129
Civilian deaths were Discounted by Airwars after assessment.
16 seperate alleged incidents
4942 incidents
Order results by:
Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

23 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1505

Location

حي ‏المرجة‬, Marjah (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Between three and five civilians including two children and a woman died and up to 10 more were wounded in an airstrike or artillery shelling of a residential area in Aleppo’s Marjah neighbourhood, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. The Shaam…

Summary

Published
23 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
3–5
Civilians reported injured
2–10
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

23 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1506

Location

كفرتخاريم, Kafr Takharim, Idlib, Syria
Local media reported that up to seven civilians - six of whom were named - including children and women died and dozens more were wounded in night-time airstrikes on Kafr Tkharim. The strikes reportedly hit a council building and a sports center. The majority of sources attributed this casualty event to Russia, though one report…

Summary

Published
23 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
6–7
Civilians reported injured
20–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

22 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1502

Location

عندان, Anadan, Aleppo, Syria
At least one member of the civil defence died and up to five more were wounded in an airstrike on Anadan, according to local media. One source – LCCSY – reported that there had been “16 martyrs in Aleppo following Russian raids on the town of Anadan and in clashes with what is referred to…

Summary

Published
22 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
2–16
Civilians reported injured
2–5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

21 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1500

Location

جسر الشغور, Jisr al-Shughur, Idlib, Syria
Seven civilians including up to five children – reportedly mostly from the same family – died and up to dozens more were wounded in airstrikes on Jisr al Shoughour, according to sources on the ground – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. Among sources attributing the event to…

Summary

Published
21 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
7
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

21 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1501

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Shaykhun, Idlib, Syria
Two civilians died in a strike on farmland near Khan Sheikhoun in Idlib, according to sources on the ground – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. Step News Agency, LCCSY, @Sy_Reporter and Shahba Press all blamed Russia – and put the number of civilians killed at…

Summary

Published
21 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

21 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1498

Location

Al Nakir, Idlib, Syria
One or two children died and two other civilians were wounded in an airstrike on Al Nakir, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. Step News Agency was among sources blaming Russia, reporting that one child died in the strike. But a…

Summary

Published
21 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident