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

22 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1034

Location

جسر الشغور, Jisr al-Shughur, Idlib, Syria
One civilian was killed and nine more were injured in an airstrike by alleged Russian warplanes on Jisr al Shoughour, according to local media. Jisrtv reported that the attack occurred between 1.00 and 1.06. All reports claimed to sight Russian warplanes, who reportedly carried out cluster missile attacks on Jisr al Shoughour. According to Smart…

Summary

Published
22 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
9
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

22 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1032

Location

الفردوس, Al Fardous (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
A 10 year-old child named Jamil Mustafa was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Aleppo’s Al Ferdos neighbourhood, according to LCCSY. Despite this claim, a pro-regime Twitter page reported that “Syrian warplanes targeted armed groups in Ferdos and Kallaseh neighbourhoods and injured some armed members.” Step News reported sighting helicopters which threw explosive barrels…

Summary

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

Incident Date

22 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1033

Location

عقيربات, Akeirbat, Hama, Syria
A single source, LCCSY, said that there were: “‪#‎Hama‬ martyrs and wounded reported due to targeting the township of ‪#‎Aqrabiyat‬ and the village of ‪#‎Soha‬ in the eastern suburbs with 5 Russian airstrikes.” However, further research indicated that there were no civilian casualties in Akeirbat, but up to seven in Soha on July 22nd (see…

Summary

Published
22 July 2016
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

22 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1035

Location

سوحا, Soha, Hama, Syria
Syrian Press Center claimed that five airstrikes were carried out in Soha village killing and injuring civilians. Multiple sources including Alamawi and SMO News reported that it was Russian warplanes which attacked Soha village. However, both Radio AlKul and LCCSY blamed the Assad regime for the raids. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and Smart News both…

Summary

Published
22 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
3–7
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

22 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1036

Location

بني زيد, Bani Zeid, Aleppo, Syria
A woman named Hasna’a Ali Danon, aged 55, was killed on July 22nd by alleged Russian and Assad regime warplanes in Bani Zeid, sources on the ground reported. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights blamed the Assad regime for “artillery shelling” and “warplane shelling” on the neighbourhood. The reports claimed it caused destruction to buildings with no civilian…

Summary

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

Incident Date

21 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1029

Location

الطيبة‎, Al Tiba (Al Taibah), Homs, Syria
Local media reported that five civilians died – a woman and her four children – in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on Al Tiba village, Homs. Although there were only two sources reporting this incident on July 21st 2016, they are both credible. LCCSY reported “‪#‎Homs‬ a woman and her four children were martyred…

Summary

Published
21 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident