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

17 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1020

Location

حطلة, Hatla, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Three civilians died in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on the villages of Hatla and al Salhiya in Deir Ezzor, according to sources on the ground. Euphrates Post reported three were killed and five wounded - they blamed Russia, as did the Smart News Agency. Ara News, however, said that the regime carried…

Summary

Published
17 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

16 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1017

Location

الأتارب, Al Atarib, Aleppo, Syria
“People were torn apart”, reported Aletihad Press, in an airstrike which hit Al Atarib on 16th July 2016, the Western side of Aleppo. Local media put the death toll at between two and 20 civilians – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible for the civilian harm. SMO…

Summary

Published
16 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
2–20
Civilians reported injured
40
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

16 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1016

Location

الفردوس, Al Fardous (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
An entire family was killed in a missile attack which took place in the afternoon of July 16th on Aleppo’s Ferdous neighbourhood, according to local media. Sources said that explosive barrels and missiles struck the area, though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. Orient news…

Summary

Published
16 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
8–13
Civilians reported injured
20
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

16 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1013

Location

حريتان, Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria
Artillery and warplane shelling bombarded Hryatan leaving between three to four civilians dead, local media reported. According to Halab News, Step and Al Jazeera, this was the work of the Assad regime. However, TurkArab Now blamed Russian warplanes for the airstrike. Al-Marsad News put the death toll at four. However the Syrian Observatory for Human…

Summary

Published
16 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

16 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1015

Location

أعزاز‎, Izaz, Aleppo, Syria
A Civil Service Defence Quarter was put out of service when two warplanes fired missiles on Izaz, Aleppo, a town close to the Turkish border in northern Aleppo. Up to  five civilians including a child reportedly died in the attack, which caused extensive destruction to the building and injured several Civil Defence workers. Ara News…

Summary

Published
16 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
2–5
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

16 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1014

Location

الألمجي, Al Alamji, Aleppo, Syria
Warplanes struck Al Almaji, a residential neighborhood in Old Aleppo and killed between 10 and 11 civilians, including women and children. According to Horrya News and the Syrian Network for Human Rights, Assad warplanes launched the raids. However, Shahba News Agency and other local news sources reported the raids to be Russian. The Syrian Civil…

Summary

Published
16 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
7–11
Civilians reported injured
23
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident