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
4808 incidents
Order results by:
Incident Date Publication Date

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

Incident Date

30 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0966

Location

Deir ez-Zor, Deir Ezzor, Syria
دير الزور
Local media reported that up to four civilians died and several more were injured in an airstrike on Deir Ezzor – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. According to one source, Al Jisrtv, ISIS mortars also hit the governorate on this day. The Syrian News Network reported  that…

Summary

Published
30 June 2016
View Incident

Incident Date

30 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0965

Location

Al Atarib, Aleppo, Syria
الأتارب
Two civilians died including one child and several more people were wounded in airstrikes on Atareb, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. Sources reported that the victims were father and daughter. According to LCCSY the two were killed after "Russian warplanes…

Summary

Published
30 June 2016
View Incident

Incident Date

30 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0964

Location

Baghdad street, Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria
حريتان
Local media reported that alleged Russian airstrikes in Baghdad street in Hraitan outside of Aleppo killed three civilian men and wounded several more. According to Halab Today TV, “three civilians were martyred following the targeting of Baghdad street in the town of Hraitan in Aleppo”.  Radio al-kul added that the strikes left several wounded. LCCSY,…

Summary

Published
30 June 2016
View Incident

Incident Date

30 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0963

Location

Al Maghayer (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
حي المغاير
Two children were killed and up to dozens more were wounded as a result airstrikes on the city al-Maghayer outside of Aleppo, local media reported – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime. Aleppo White Helmets reported  that “a short while ago a missile fell…

Summary

Published
30 June 2016
View Incident

Incident Date

29 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0962

Location

Al Masreb, Deir Ezzor, Syria
المسرب
At least four civilians, including two children and one woman, were killed in airstrikes on the village al-Mashreb, reported local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible for the deaths. Most sources, including Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently, al-AMAWI, Baladi News and the Syrian Network…

Summary

Published
29 June 2016
View Incident