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

3 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1096

Location

شغور, Shaghuor, Idlib, Syria
The Violations Documentation Center named one adult male civilian, as killed by a Russian cluster bomb. While the source reports that the victim was from Shahour village, it’s unclear whether he was killed there. No further details are currently available.

Summary

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

Incident Date

3 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1099

Location

المنصورة, Al Mansoura, Aleppo, Syria
Six named civilians died in an air or artillery strike on Al Mansoura in the western suburbs of Aleppo, local sources said. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, on “Wednesday evening 3 August 2016, alleged Russian warplanes carried out two airstrikes on the residential homes located in the northwestern areas of Al Mansoura…

Summary

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

Incident Date

2 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1087

Location

ﺣﻠﺐ, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
According to Syria News Desk, “three media opposition activists were killed yesterday while covering the fighting south of Aleppo, one of them a reporter for Step News agency. They were killed as a result of Russian warplanes targeting the building they were inside.” No further details are currently available.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

2 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1089

Location

الأتارب, Al Atarib, Aleppo, Syria
Between 11 and 42 civilians died and dozens more were wounded in an airstrike on a popular market in Al Atarib, according to local media. Most sources blamed Russia, though there was some confusion in the reporting with the Syrian Network for Human Rights pointing to both Moscow and then the regime. Some other sources…

Summary

Published
2 August 2016
Civilians reported killed
11–42
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

2 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1090

Location

حي السكري, Sukkari (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
According to sources, both Russian and Assad regime aircraft carried out missile attacks on Al Sukkari at noon on August 2nd 2016. Sources stated that not only artillery, but rocket launchers, missiles and a vacuum missile were used in the raid on the neighbourhood. Only one source reported that the aircraft was Russian. Multiple sources…

Summary

Published
2 August 2016
Civilians reported killed
1–3
Civilians reported injured
2–10
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

2 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1091

Location

كفرتخاريم, Kafr Takharim, Idlib, Syria
One woman died in an airstrike on Kafr Tkharim and the surrounding countryside on the August 2nd, according to sources on the ground. Most sources attributed the event to Russia, though one said that barrel bombs had been dropped on the area, meaning that regime involvement can’t be ruled out. LCCSY and Baladi Network both…

Summary

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