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

24 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1046

Location

Yashnatra, Aleppo, Syria
Local media reported that Russian warplanes carried out strikes on Yashnatra town, leading to civilian casualties – though sources didn’t specify numbers. However, Arabstoday blamed the regime, reporting three civilians wounded. Other sources referred only to “warplanes”.

Summary

Published
24 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

24 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1051

Location

كرم الطحان, Karam Tahan, Aleppo, Syria
Up to five civilians including children died and more were wounded in an airstrike on Karam Tahan, local sources reported – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible for the casualties. According to Arabstoday, “four people were killed and three were injured due to three Russian warplanes raids in Karm…

Summary

Published
24 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
4–5
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

24 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1047

Location

عربين, Irbin, Damascus, Syria
Four civilians including three children died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Irbin in eastern Ghouta, local media reported – though the culprit remained unclear. According to Radio Al Kul, “Russian warplanes struck Douma, Harasta, Irbin and Hamoreya in Eastern Ghouta with missiles loaded with cluster bombs and killed four people and wounded tens more.”…

Summary

Published
24 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

23 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1037

Location

ضهرة عواد, Dahrat Awwad, Aleppo, Syria
Alleged Russian warplanes and/or Assad regime helicopters were both reported to have dropped missiles on the neighbourhood of Dahrat Awwad, killing between 10 and 17 civilians and wounding at least 15 more. According to Ara News, 13 civilians were killed and “10s were injured”. A local news source put the number of killed civilians as…

Summary

Published
23 July 2016
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
10–17
Civilians reported injured
15
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

23 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1038

Location

حي الصالحين, Salheen (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Local media reported that up to nine civilians died an two were injured in an airstrike on Salheen, Aleppo. Though it was unclear from reports whether Russia or the Assad regime were to blame, with most reports, such as Halab News, Zam al-wasl and LCCSY, referring to both “Russian and regime” warplanes.

Summary

Published
23 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
9
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

23 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1039

Location

Al Maysar, Aleppo, Syria
Two civilians died and others were injured in a casualty incident in Al Maysar, Aleppo, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. According to SMO, Smart and LCCSY Russia was responsible. Smart alleged cluster bombs used in the attack.  However, Syriamubashar, A_Alhorane…

Summary

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