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

26 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1195

Location

حيان, Hayyan, Aleppo, Syria
Between four and eight civilians including a child died and as many as dozens more were wounded in airstrikes on the town of Haian, local media reported. The majority of sources attributed the event to Russia, though one also mentioned the Assad regime was involved. The highest death count (eight non-combatants) was given by Baladi…

Summary

Published
26 August 2016
Civilians reported killed
4–8
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1198

Location

بالقرب من نادي اليحيى، ٱلرَّقَّة, Vicinity of Yahya Sports Club, Raqqa, Raqqa, Syria
Between five and nine civilians including one child died and up to 20 more were wounded in airstrikes on Al Idkhar neighbourhood of Raqqa, according to sources on the ground - though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia, the Assad regime of the US-led Coalition was responsible. Several reports said that strikes occurred near…

Summary

Published
26 August 2016
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
5–9
Civilians reported injured
20
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

26 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1196

Location

النيرب, Neirab, Idlib, Syria
Two civilians died and several more were wounded in airstrikes on Neirab in Idlib, according to local media. The majority of sources blamed Russia for the casualties, though one pointed to the Syrian regime. LCCSY,@SyrianArwad and @Syriamubasher were among reports that attributed the event to Russia. The use of cluster bombs was also noted. However,…

Summary

Published
26 August 2016
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1197

Location

أورم الكبرى, Urma al Kubra, Aleppo, Syria
At least five civilians – from the same family, according to some reports – died and up to eight more were wounded in airstrikes on Orme Al-Kubra, local media reported. The majority of sources attributed the event to Russia – though one, the Syrian Network for Human Rights, blamed the Syrian regime. According to LCCSY,…

Summary

Published
26 August 2016
Civilians reported killed
5–6
Civilians reported injured
8–10
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

24 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1194

Location

أفس, Efis, Idlib, Syria
One adult male civilian, named by the Violations Documentation Center, died and up to 11 more people were wounded in an airstrike on Efis in Idlib, local media reported. The majority of sources blamed Russia, though several attributed the event to the Assad regime. These reports put the death count at one, with an unspecified…

Summary

Published
24 August 2016
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
6–11
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

23 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1193

Location

حي المشهد, Al Mashad (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Between three and five civilians died and dozens more were wounded in airstrikes on Aleppo’s Mashhad neighbourhood, according to local media – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the regime. Local media outlets said that a popular bakery had been struck. LCCSY initially reported that Russia carried…

Summary

Published
23 August 2016
Civilians reported killed
3–5
Civilians reported injured
7–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident