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

29 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1069

Location

معرة حرمة, Maraat Harma, Idlib, Syria
One civilian – either a doctor or a nurse – died and other medical staff were reportedly wounded in an airstrike on a hospital/medical facility in Maarat Harma, local media reported – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. According to Zamanalwasl, “Assad warplanes shelled Ma’arat Harmaa,…

Summary

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

Incident Date

29 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1070

Location

الأتارب, Al Atarib, Aleppo, Syria
In a major casualty event, up to 25 civilians including as many as 16 children died and dozens more were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Atarib in Aleppo according to local media. Many sources – who published extremely graphic mages of victims – didn’t identify the warplanes responsible, however, a large number pointed…

Summary

Published
29 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
17–25
Civilians reported injured
12–50
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

29 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1068

Location

كرم البيك, Karam al Beik, Aleppo, Syria
Between five and seven civilians died and 15 were wounded in airstrikes on Karam al beik, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. Alaraby, Radio Alkul, Syrianevent1 and LCCSY said that Russia was responsible. However, AMC and Al Jazeera pointed towards the…

Summary

Published
29 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
5–7
Civilians reported injured
15
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

29 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1071

Location

حي بستان القصر, Bustan al Qasr (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Five civilians died in an airstrike on Bustan al Qasr, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. The Shaam News Network reported that “Russian enemy planes continued targeting the neighbourhoods of the besieged city of Aleppo with dozens of raids every day,…

Summary

Published
29 July 2016
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

29 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1072

Location

خان الشيح‬, Khan al Sheikh, Damascus, Syria
A 16-year-old boy reportedly died in an airstrike on his home in Khan al Shiekh, according to local media – though sources were unclear whether the strike was carried out by Russia or the Syrian regime. Syrian News Desk reported that the victim was “a boy aged 16, who was a soccer player in the…

Summary

Published
29 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2–10
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

28 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1067

Location

جسر الشغور, Jisr al-Shughur, Idlib, Syria
Up to five civilians including three children died and as many as 21 other non-combatants were wounded in an airstrike on Jisr al-Shughur in Aleppo, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible. The Shaam News Network blamed Russia, reporting: “Activists said Russian warplanes…

Summary

Published
28 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
4–5
Civilians reported injured
20–21
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident