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

23 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1040

Location

الهلّك, Halak, Aleppo, Syria
Local media reported that Russia shelled Hayak with cluster bombs, however, only once source (LCCSY) alleged that there had been a civilian casualty. It said that one civilian had died. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

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

Incident Date

23 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1041

Location

سوحا, Souha, Hama, Syria
Six civilians from one family, including a woman and four children, died in an airstrike on Souha in Hama, according to local media. Only one of the two sources (LCCSY), alleged that Russia was to blame. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights referred only to “warplanes”.

Summary

Published
23 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
6
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

23 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1042

Location

غوطة دمشق, Eastern Ghouta, Damascus, Syria
Eastern Ghouta was bombarded with raids on July 23rd damaging many small residential towns within the district and killing between two and nine civilians, according to sources on the ground. Both Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and Smart News reported that the Assad regime struck the area with jets and warplanes. Shaam News Network, however,…

Summary

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

Incident Date

23 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1043

Location

جسر الشغور, Jisr al-Shughur, Idlib, Syria
Cluster bombs dropped by alleged Russian or Assad regime warplanes bombarded and destroyed residential housing killing 12 civilians and wounding up to 40 more in Jisr al-Shughur, local media reported. Baladi News and Jisrtv blamed Russian warplanes for the airstrikes. LCCSY, however, blamed the Assad regime for the raids. Zaman al-Wasl News reported sighting both…

Summary

Published
23 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
12
Civilians reported injured
14–40
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

23 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1044

Location

التبني, Al Tabbani, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Alleged Russian or Assad regime warplanes carried out airstrikes which struck and destroyed two family homes in Al Tabbani, killing ten civilians including five children, according to sources on the ground.  The local news source, Deirezzor 24, said that the raids occurred at 10am. Syrian PC and Baladi News both blamed Russian warplanes for the…

Summary

Published
23 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
10
Civilians reported injured
12
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

23 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1045

Location

الفردوس, Al Fardous (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Eleven or twelve civilians died in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on Aleppo's Al Fardous neighbourhood, according to local media. Smart News reported that Russian warplanes carried out two raids on the town. The Syrian Network for Human Rights, however, blamed “the regime and its allies for the warplane shelling”. The shelling reportedly…

Summary

Published
23 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
11–12
Civilians reported injured
10–35
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident