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

4,338 – 6,384

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 4,842 separate alleged incidents.

1,145 – 1,394
children likely killed
632 – 766
women likely killed
6,544
likely injured
3,435
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
15,282 – 24,392
Locally reported civilian deaths from Russian Military actions in Syria.
4,842 seperate alleged incidents
Confirmed or Fair
4,338 – 6,384
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by Russian Military
1,344 seperate alleged incidents
Weak
727 – 848
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Weak.
457 seperate alleged incidents
Contested
10,113 – 17,043
Civilian deaths for which the reporting is assessed by Airwars as Contested.
3,026 seperate alleged incidents
Discounted
104 – 117
Civilian deaths were Discounted by Airwars after assessment.
15 seperate alleged incidents
4809 incidents
Order results by:
Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

4 July 2016

Incident Code

RS0974

Location

Khan al Sheikh, Damascus, Syria
خان الشيح‬
A Children’s Protection Centre in Khan al-Sheikh camp was reportedly struck and “almost totally destroyed” in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes. Local sources added that the shelling also destroyed houses, killing four civilians and wounding five more. According to the Shaam News Network, “Russian planes launched air raids on farms and on the outskirts…

Summary

Published
4 July 2016
View Incident

Incident Date

2 July 2016

Incident Code

RS0971

Location

Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria
حريتان
Continuous heavy shelling by warplanes was reported to have killed seven civilians including an entire family of four in Hraytan. Other than Syrian News, who claimed there were both Russian and Syrian regime planes, all other sources have reported Russia the sole culprit. Syrian News reported that the neighbourhood Al-Haramis was shelled and Hraytan alleged…

Summary

Published
2 July 2016
View Incident

Incident Date

2 July 2016

Incident Code

RS0970

Location

Al Mashad (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
حي المشهد
An entire residential building in the neighbourhood of Al-Mashhad was reportedly destroyed killing four or five civilians. Both LCCSY and locals have confirmed the shelling took place on Al-Albisah Street. Multiple sources claim there was heavy shelling and the use of missiles by Russian warplanes. All sources, including Syrian News Desk, reported the warplanes to be Russian.…

Summary

Published
2 July 2016
View Incident

Incident Date

2 July 2016

Incident Code

RS0972

Location

Ar-Rastan, Homs, Syria
الرستن‬
Heavy and “barbaric” shelling killed six named civilians including two children and injured between 10 and 25 civilians in Ar-Rastan, Homs, according to local media. The majority of the injured were – according to Baladi News and Sna Agency – mostly women and children. Sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of…

Summary

Published
2 July 2016
View Incident

Incident Date

1 July 2016

Incident Code

RS0967

Location

Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria
الباب
Heavy air raids on Al Bab – which local sources blamed either on Russia or unidentified aircraft – reportedly killed up to two civilians in Al Bab. According to Syrian PC, “Russian warplanes raids in Al bab city killed a number of people and wounded others.” Syria Feed cited one death, while according to the…

Summary

Published
1 July 2016
View Incident

Incident Date

1 July 2016

Incident Code

RS0968

Location

Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria
حريتان
Heavy airstrikes on Hraytan – which local sources blamed on either Russian planes or Syrian regime helicopters – killed two named children. According to the Syrian Observatory the town was also attacked with artillery. One local source, Syrian Press Center, said that “Russia and the regime carried out 40 raids, and threw 30 explosive barrels,…

Summary

Published
1 July 2016
View Incident