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

12 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1136

Location

كفر ناها, Kafr Naha, Aleppo, Syria
Between one and six civilians were killed and at least an additional six civilians were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on August 12th, which reportedly struck a vegetable market in Kafr Naha town in the Western part of Aleppo governorate. Despite the numbers of civilian casualties reported, only one adult male was named by the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

12 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1131

Location

الفردوس, Al Fardous (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Between five and 20 civilians were killed and up to 30 more were wounded, including women, when warplanes launched two airstrikes against the neighbourhood of Fardous. The airstrikes reportedly struck the local market. Syrian Newsdesk and @RadioAlKul blamed Russian warplanes. However, All4Syria and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported the use of barrel bombs…

Summary

Published
12 August 2016
Civilians reported killed
5–20
Civilians reported injured
17–30
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

11 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1126

Location

الدانا, Al Dana, Idlib, Syria
Seven civilians were killed and as many as dozens more were wounded in an airstrike on Al Dana, local media reported. Sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. LCCSY put the death toll at 11. Many sources attributed the airstrikes to regime planes, including Baladi, the…

Summary

Published
11 August 2016
Civilians reported killed
7–12
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

11 August 2016

Incident Codes

CS292 RS1127

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
In a major civilian casualty event, between 13 and 30 civilians were killed and up to 70 more injured from airstrikes from either a Russian or a Coalition strike on al Idkhar neighbourhood in Raqqa City. Both belligerents report bombing in the area. Raqaa is Being Slaughtered initially reported on the morning of August 11th:…

Summary

Published
11 August 2016
Civilians reported killed
13–30
Civilians reported injured
13–70
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

11 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1128

Location

ﺣﻠﺐ, Bazza square, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Reports estimated that between eight and 10 civilians were killed and an additional five to 13 more wounded, including two children, in airstrikes on Bazza square in Old Aleppo, according to local media. The majority of sources blamed the regime for the event, though one blamed Russia and a significant number of others didn’t identify…

Summary

Published
11 August 2016
Civilians reported killed
8–10
Civilians reported injured
5–13
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

11 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1129

Location

الراموسة, Ramousa, Aleppo, Syria
At least one civilian was killed and four others were injured in airstrikes and artillery fire on the Ramousa neighbourhood in Aleppo, local media reported. Most sources attributed the airstrikes to Russian aircraft, which reportedly carried out eight air raids, though there was also an allegation against the Assad regime. Syrian Network for Human Rights…

Summary

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