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 Date Publication Date

Incident Date

21 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1031

Location

إدلب, Idlib, Idlib, Syria
Russian and Assad regime warplanes continued to attack Idlib on July 21st, killing up to another six civilians, according to sources on the ground. The Smart News called the bombardment a massacre and also commented that the raids began in the night continuing on from the 20th of July. Images published by the Shaam News…

Summary

Published
21 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
4–6
Civilians reported injured
30
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

Incident Date

21 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1030

Location

حي المشهد, Al Mashad (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Between six and nine civilians died in alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes on Aleppo’s Al Mashhad neighbourhood, according to sources on the ground. The majority of reports, including Al Jazeera, Buraq Media and Syrian PC, blamed the Assad regime for the airstrikes. According to reports, there was both shelling and the use of explosive barrels…

Summary

Published
21 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
6–9
Civilians reported injured
20–25
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

19 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1024

Location

دير الزور, Deir ez-Zor, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Four civilians died in an airstrike on Deir Ezzor, according to local reports. There was, however, only one source (LCCSY) that pointed to possible Russian involvement. The Syrian Human Rights Committee published the names of four victims killed by “warplanes” in Deir Ezzor on July 19th, these are listed below.

Summary

Published
19 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

19 July 2016

Incident Codes

CS273a RS1027

Location

إدلب, Idlib, Idlib, Syria
In what has been described as a massacre, committed by both Russian and Assad regime and coalition warplanes, between 10 and 23 civilians were killed and as many as 35 more wounded on July 19th in Idlib city. Other sources claimed that the Coalition was involved in the incident. According to Shaam News Network the…

Summary

Published
19 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
10–23
Civilians reported injured
30–35
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition, Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

19 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1028

Location

إدلب, Idlib, Idlib, Syria
Raids continued overnight from the 19th to the 20th of July in Idlib, and Idlib City, killing up to 23 civilians, according to sources on the ground. Alamawi reported that missiles were continually fired throughout the night and into the next morning. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported sighting helicopters dropping explosive barrels after midnight on…

Summary

Published
19 July 2016
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
9–23
Civilians reported injured
30
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident