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

6 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1237

Location

حور, Hor, Aleppo, Syria
Up to six civilians including two children and a woman died and up to 20 more civilians were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on Hor town, local media reported. According to LCCSY, “Russian warplanes launched airstrikes with vacuum missiles on Hor town in the western suburbs with led to the fall of four civilian martyrs…

Summary

Published
6 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
4–6
Civilians reported injured
4–20
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

6 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1238

Location

الصالحين, Al Salheen neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Two members of the civil defense were killed and up to five other civilians were wounded in a raid on Al Salheen, according to local media – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime. According to the Smart News Network, “regime Helicopters targeted Al-Salheen with…

Summary

Published
6 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
3–5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

6 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1233

Location

عندان, Anadan, Aleppo, Syria
One civilian male died in an alleged Russian airstrike on the grand mosque in Anadan, according to local media. On Sept 12th, HNN reported his death was "due to wounds sustained following Russian enemy raid on the Great Mosque in Anadan a week ago, he is from the town, and a civilian.” Other sources reported…

Summary

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

Incident Date

6 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1234

Location

معردبسي, Meir Debsie, Idlib, Syria
Eight civilians including three children died and up to 20 others were wounded in shelling of Maer Debsie. Most sources attributed the event to the Syrian regime, though one blamed Russia. According to Zaman Alwasl, six died when the regime shelled “civilians’ residential houses from the side of motorway”. Enab Baladi, also blaming the regime,…

Summary

Published
6 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
8
Civilians reported injured
10–20
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

6 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1235

Location

مَعَرَّة النُّعْمَان, Maarat al Numan, Idlib, Syria
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
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2–3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

6 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1236

Location

معر شورين, Maarshorine, Idlib, Syria
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
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident