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

28 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1066

Location

مَعَرَّة النُّعْمَان, Maarat al Numan, Idlib, Syria
Local media reported that one civilian died and several others were wounded in a cluster bomb attack on Maarat al Numan, though it was unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. Multiple sources published images showing the remains of cluster bombs on the ground – though many sources didn’t identify who had…

Summary

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

Incident Date

27 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1065

Location

الصاخور, Al Sakhour (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Up to ten civilians died and as many as 20 others were wounded in an airstrike on a fruit and vegetable market in Al Sakhour, local media reported – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. Ara, Madar Daily, Smart, Syrian Press Center, Qasioun, Syrian Human Rights Committee, JIsrtv, Ahbah7,…

Summary

Published
27 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
6–10
Civilians reported injured
15–20
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

27 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1062

Location

عندان, Anadan, Aleppo, Syria
Local media reported that an unidentified child died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Anadan. No further details are currently available.

Summary

Published
27 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

27 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1063

Location

حي السكري, Sukkari (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Two or three civilians died and several more were wounded in airstrikes on Al Sukkari in Aleppo, local sources reported – though it was unclear from reports whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. According to Baladi, the hospital was put out of service as a result of strikes. Halab Today blamed both…

Summary

Published
27 July 2016
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
1–3
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

27 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1064

Location

حي بستان القصر, Bustan al Qasr (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Between one and four civilians died and up to six others were wounded in Bustan al Qasr, according to local media – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible for the deaths. Abdulkarimlaila blamed Russia, but most sources did not identify the culprit. Orient News and Rojava, however, referred to…

Summary

Published
27 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
1–4
Civilians reported injured
6
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1057

Location

‏كفر بسين‬, Kafr Bssein, Aleppo, Syria
Two civilians including one child died in Kafr Bssein, local media reported – though it was unclear who was responsible for the deaths. According to Halab News, Halab Today and Syrian Press Center, an unidentified “man and a child” died in an attack using cluster bombs. The sources didn’t identify the culprit. Some other sources…

Summary

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