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 4,843 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.
4,843 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.
3,027 seperate alleged incidents
Discounted
104 – 117
Civilian deaths were Discounted by Airwars after assessment.
15 seperate alleged incidents
4809 incidents
Order results by:
Incident Date Publication Date

Incident Date

7 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1243

Location

Sukkari (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
حي السكري
As many as 28 civilians died and up to 57 more were wounded in airstrikes on the Sukkari neighbourhood in Aleppo, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible. Sources reported three or four raids, with the lowest civilian death toll given as 12…

Summary

Published
7 September 2016
View Incident

Incident Date

7 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1242

Location

Tadif, Aleppo, Syria
تادف
Up to 19 civilians including six children died and up to 50 more were wounded in air and/or artillery strikes on Tadef in Aleppo, according to local media. Sources were conflicted as to who was responsible: the majority blamed Russia (citing the use of cluster bombs), though there were also allegations against the Syrian regime…

Summary

Published
7 September 2016
View Incident

Incident Date

6 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1240

Location

Khan Shaykhun, Idlib, Syria
خان شيخون
Between seven and nine civilians, including two female children and two or three members of the civil defence died in airstrikes on Khan Sheikhoun in Idlib, according to sources on the ground. While the majority of reports blamed Russia, several attributed the attack to the Syrian regime or did not identify the culprit. According to…

Summary

Published
6 September 2016
View Incident

Incident Date

6 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1236

Location

Maarshorine, Idlib, Syria
معر شورين
One civilian died in Maarshorine, a village in the southern countryside of Idlib, according to numerous reports. Multiple sources, including @edlepnews and Alamawi, alleged Russia culprit. LCCSY said that “a young man was martyed” due to the strikes. The source reported a qualitative similarity between the strike on Maarshorine and earlier strikes on Maardibsa which…

Summary

Published
6 September 2016
View Incident

Incident Date

6 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1239

Location

Batbo, Aleppo, Syria
باتبو
Up to eight civilians died and as many as 15 were wounded in an airstrike on an oil factory in Hazano, according to local media. While most sources attributed the event to Russia, two pointed towards the Syrian regime. Orient news and LCCSY put the death toll at three, with LCCSY adding that 15 civilians…

Summary

Published
6 September 2016
View Incident

Incident Date

6 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1235

Location

Maarat al Numan, Idlib, Syria
مَعَرَّة النُّعْمَان
One civilian died and up to three others were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Maarat al Numan in Idlib, according to local media. Halab Today reported: “A civilian was killed and others wounded in Ma’arat Al-Nu’man due to warplanes shelling with cluster bombs” The Syrian Network for Human Rights also reported the use…

Summary

Published
6 September 2016
View Incident