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

22 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1191

Location

كفر ناها, Kafr Naha, Aleppo, Syria
Two children died and up to nine other civilians were wounded in airstrikes on Kafr Naha, according to sources on the ground – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible. Halab Today reported that “at least two children were wounded in cluster bomb raids”. However, Smo-sy, @HalabTodayTV and…

Summary

Published
22 August 2016
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2–9
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

22 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1192

Location

حي السكري, Sukkari (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Up to 14 civilians including women and children died and as many as dozens more were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Sukkari, according to local media. Multiple sources reported that residential homes were struck and that fires broke out causing significant material damage. One source added that “the main market” was hit. The…

Summary

Published
22 August 2016
Civilians reported killed
5–14
Civilians reported injured
8–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

21 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1183

Location

كفر ناها, Kafr Naha, Aleppo, Syria
Two civilians – reportedly children – died and up to nine other non-combatants were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafr Naha, local media said. According to LCCSY, “two children died and others were wounded when Russian warplanes carried out a cluster bomb attack on Kafr Naha”. @syriapost1 and @ShahbaPress tweeted that “nine people were…

Summary

Published
21 August 2016
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2–9
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

21 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1184

Location

عربين, Arbeen, Damascus, Syria
Up to four civilians including a child died and several more were injured in airstrikes on Arbin, according to sources on the ground. The majority of the sources blamed the Assad regime for the attack; none of the reports explicitly pointed to Russia, though a number didn’t identify the culprit. Smart reported that “regime warplanes…

Summary

Published
21 August 2016
Civilians reported killed
1–4
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

21 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1181

Location

القاطرجي, Al Qaterji (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Between three and 11 civilians including women and children died and as many as 30 more were wounded in airstrikes on Qaterji, al-Zebdiyyeh, al-Jaloum and Seif al-Dawla, local media reported – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “11 civilians…

Summary

Published
21 August 2016
Civilians reported killed
3–11
Civilians reported injured
2–30
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

21 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1180

Location

الغنطو, Al Ghantu, Homs, Syria
One named civilian died and several more were wounded in shelling of Ghantou, according to local media. Most sources blamed the regime, specifying a mortar or rocket attack. @MasarPressNet blamed the regime for firing mortars on the town, while @RadioAlKul said that regime artillery strikes were conducted. Other sources blaming the regime included LCCSY and…

Summary

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