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 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1115

Location

دارة عزة, Darat Izza, Aleppo, Syria
At least seven civilians including two women and two children were killed and up to 40 more wounded in alleged long-range ballistic missiles (Scud) strikes launched from battleships in the Mediterranean. But sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or Syrian regime.The majority of sources attributed the attacks to Russian…

Summary

Published
8 August 2016
Civilians reported killed
7–8
Civilians reported injured
17–40
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

8 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1114

Location

حي السكري, Sukkari (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Between one and six civilians were killed and between three and four more were injured from an alleged barrel and missile bombing of a market in the neighborhood of Sukkari. Reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or Syrian regime were responsible. While the majority of sources reported deaths and injuries as a result of…

Summary

Published
8 August 2016
Civilians reported killed
1–6
Civilians reported injured
3–4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

8 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1116

Location

إدلب, Idlib, Idlib, Syria
Multiple sources reported that between four and five civilians including two women died and up to 12 others were injured in four raids on Idlib City – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. The majority of sources attribute the raids to Russia. However, The…

Summary

Published
8 August 2016
Civilians reported killed
4–5
Civilians reported injured
10–12
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

7 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1111

Location

حي المشهد, Al Mashad (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
At least one civilian was killed and at least one more was injured, including a child, from bombing of the Al Mashhad neighborhood in Aleppo, local media reported – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. According to multiple sources, warplanes dropped internationally-prohibited phosphorus bombs. Both LCCSY…

Summary

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

Incident Date

6 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1109

Location

حي بستان القصر, Bustan al Qasr (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Between one and four civilians died in an airstrike on the al Zabadiya and Bustan al Qasr neighbourhoods in Aleppo, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were to blame. LCCSY was among several sources blaming Russia. It put the death toll at four civilians.…

Summary

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

Incident Date

6 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1110

Location

ملس, Malas, Idlib, Syria
Thirteen civilians, including three to five children and two women, were killed and up to 30 more were wounded is missile strikes on Malas town, according to local media – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were to blame. Reports said that two of the four to six strikes…

Summary

Published
6 August 2016
Civilians reported killed
13
Civilians reported injured
10–30
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident