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

4 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1101

Location

كفر ناها, Kafr Naha, Aleppo, Syria
Up to four civilians died, including a woman and two children, in an alleged Russian airstrike on Kafr Naha. According to Ara News, the warplanes launched strikes on the neighbourhood, “in an attempt to prevent the arrival of a new military Maazrat Army conquest of the region”. LCCSY reported that rockets were fired over the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

4 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1102

Location

معرة الأتارب, Maarat al Atarib, Aleppo, Syria
Between four and six civilians including two children died and as many as 30 more were wounded in an alleged Russian or Syrian Regime airstrike on the two camps for displaced person near the town of Maarat al Atareb. Halab News Network reported there were no less than eight raids, with the use of cluster…

Summary

Published
4 August 2016
Civilians reported killed
4–6
Civilians reported injured
10–30
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

4 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1100

Location

حيش, Heesh, Idlib, Syria
One adult male died in an airstrike on Heesh, Idlib, according to local media. According to Amagharib Today, he died on August 5th from injures he sustained in the attack. Only one source, the Violations Documentation Center, blamed Russia for his death. Other sources didn’t apportion blame and there are no other details present at…

Summary

Published
4 August 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

3 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1097

Location

ﺣﻠﺐ, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Between three and six civilians died in an alleged Russia or Syrian regime airstrike on Aleppo city, according to local media. According to multiple sources, a convoy carrying humanitarian aid to Aleppo was struck. LCCSY reported that “the rebels have made new progress today [Aug 3rd], gaining control of positions in the Aleppo countryside, while…

Summary

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

Incident Date

3 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1098

Location

الأتارب, Al Atarib, Aleppo, Syria
Local media reported that six civilians including two children died and up to 30 more non-combatants were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Atareb, which reportedly struck an aid convoy and several nearby camps for displaced people. On August 3rd 2016, Syrian News Desk reported that “Six civilians killed most of them are truck…

Summary

Published
3 August 2016
Civilians reported killed
6
Civilians reported injured
5–30
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

3 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1095

Location

كفر حمرة, Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Syria
Alleged Russian shelling killed two civilians in Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, according to sources on the ground. According to Baladi News, a rocket was reportedly seen in the vicinity. Further to this, Smart News said that it was specifically a missile strike which killed two civilians and wounded six others. A number of sources didn’t identify…

Summary

Published
3 August 2016
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
6
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident