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

5 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1105

Location

حي ‏المرجة‬, Marjah (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
In what has been described by reporters as a “massacre”, no less than 11 civilians, including seven children and one woman, died following an aerial bombardment on the residential neighbourhood al Marja. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights however, noted that the numbers were most likely to rise due to the nature of the injures.…

Summary

Published
5 August 2016
Civilians reported killed
11
Civilians reported injured
13–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

5 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1103

Location

الأتارب, Al Atarib, Aleppo, Syria
Four civilians died and dozens more were wounded in an aerial bombardment of a school and neighbourhood in Al Atareb, according to sources on the ground – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible. Sources reported that Russian warplanes and government helicopters were sighted in the vicinity – and that…

Summary

Published
5 August 2016
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

5 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1106

Location

حي طريق الباب, Tareeq al-Bab (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Between two and seven civilians died in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on Tareeq Al Bab, according to sources on the ground. Radio Alkul gave the lowest death count of two with three more wounded – from the same family, blaming Russia. The Syrian Network for Human Rights said that four died, including…

Summary

Published
5 August 2016
Civilians reported killed
2–7
Civilians reported injured
3–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

5 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1107

Location

مديرة, Madira, Damascus, Syria
An entire family was killed in an alleged "rocket attack" in the town of Madira in an aerial bombardment according to local media. Sources reported that cluster bombs and rockets were used in the airstrike. All sources reported that Russian aircraft was to blame for this incident. These included Al Jazeera, Jisrtv, Halab Today and…

Summary

Published
5 August 2016
Civilians reported killed
8–9
Civilians reported injured
36
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

5 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1108

Location

سراقب, Saraqib, Idlib, Syria
One male civilian died and six others were wounded in multiple strikes on Saraqeb, according to local media – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible for the attacks. According to Syria News Desk, “Russian aviation targeted Saraqeb and its outskirts with 28 raids, killing one civilian and wounding six…

Summary

Published
5 August 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
6
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

5 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1104

Location

Ein Tarma, Idlib, Syria
Two civilians died in an airstrike on Ein Tarma, according to sources on the ground – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible. SCDrifdimashq also listed this man and said that a second ‘unknown martyr’ died. According to Smart, "a child was injured by regime artillery”.

Summary

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