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

8 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1244

Location

ياقد العدس, Yaked al A'adas, Aleppo, Syria
One female child died and several other civilians were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Yaked al A’adas, according to local media. The majority of sources blamed Russia, though several did not identify the warplanes responsible for the event. According to reports the girl was originally from Aleppo.

Summary

Published
8 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

8 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1245

Location

Sabkha al Mo, Homs, Syria
Three civilians – a woman and two men – died in an alleged Russian airstrike on a car in Sabkha al Moh, local media reported. According to the Shaam News Network, “Russian planes targeted a civilian car carrying traveling bedouins [one woman and two men] in the area around Sabkha al Moh south of the…

Summary

Published
8 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

8 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1246

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Shaykhun, Idlib, Syria
Up to five civilians including as many as four children died and dozens more were wounded in airstrikes on Khan Sheikhoun, according to local media – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. Qasioun reported the death of a female child, blaming the regime. Other sources also…

Summary

Published
8 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
1–5
Civilians reported injured
20–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

7 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1242

Location

تادف, Tadif, Aleppo, Syria
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
Civilians reported killed
8–19
Civilians reported injured
12–50
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

7 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1243

Location

حي السكري, Sukkari (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
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
Civilians reported killed
10–28
Civilians reported injured
15–57
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

7 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1241

Location

Kafr Zita, Hama, Syria
Al Latamna Youth reported the death of one civilian male following cluster bomb raids by suspected Russian planes on the town of Kafr Zita.  No further details are currently available.

Summary

Published
7 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident