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

16 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1012

Location

عندان, Anadan, Aleppo, Syria
According to LCCSY, “two martyrs, including a child, and several wounded were reported due to Russian airstrikes on Anadan city”. The Shaam News Network reported that Russia carried out raids on ” Anadan, Hraytan, Kafr Hamra, Mallah, Hayyan and Baleirmoon” but made no mention of civilian casualties.

Summary

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

Incident Date

16 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1018

Location

مشفى عمر بن عبد العزيز في حي المعادي، ﺣَﻠَﺐ, Omar Bin Abdul Aziz Hospital, Maadi neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
According to local sources, there were injuries to medical staff and material damage to the Omar Bin Abdul Aziz Hospital in the Maadi neighbourhood in Aleppo on July 16th 2016 after an alleged Russian or Syrian regime missile targeted the healthcare facility. Other local sources, such as Radio Al Kul and @salqin also described that…

Summary

Published
16 July 2016
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
0–2
Civilians reported injured
0–2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

15 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1011

Location

أبو الظهور, Abu al Duhur, Idlib, Syria
Fourteen named civilians were killed as missiles were reportedly fired at residential buildings in Abu al Duhur town in Idlib. There is dispute over whether the attack was carried out by Russia or the Syrian regime, with Al Jazeera blaming both. According to All4Syria News, it was Russian warplanes that struck the area, and eight…

Summary

Published
15 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
14
Civilians reported injured
10
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

14 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1010

Location

البوليل, Al Buliyal, Deir Ezzor, Syria
According to sources, an entire family of seven was killed overnight in their home in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on Bulial. However some reports allege the death toll to be as high as ten. Several reports said that “the warplanes targeted the Ayed Al-Jaloud house in Ruwayda neighbourhood east of the city.”…

Summary

Published
14 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
10–11
Civilians reported injured
10–20
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

14 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1009

Location

حي الصالحين, Salheen (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Up to seven civilians died in either an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on Al Salheen, local media reported. Smart News Agency  Shahba Press and AMC news all blamed Russia. Al Jazeera pointed to bot Russia and the Assad regime carrying out strikes in three neighbourhoods including Al Salheen, Fardous and Hanano. Alamawi, however,…

Summary

Published
14 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
3–7
Civilians reported injured
7–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

14 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1008

Location

كفر حمرة, Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Syria
The only surviving hospital in Kafr Hamra was struck and put out of service in alleged airstrikes by Russian and Syrian regime warplanes, which also reportedly killed up to ten civilians and wounded 20 more. Local news sources called the building Al Balad, and claimed it was a makeshift hospital, but the last remaining one…

Summary

Published
14 July 2016
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
6–10
Civilians reported injured
20
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident