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

12 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1001

Location

حي السكري, Sukkari (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
One civilian male died and 10 or more others were wounded in an airstrike on Aleppo’s Sukkari neighbourhood, according to sources on the ground – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime. Orient blamed Russian warplanes for using both missiles and cluster bombs, while both Smart…

Summary

Published
12 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
10
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1000

Location

كفر حمرة, Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Syria
In an airstrike which was reported to be both Russia and the Syrian regime, one child was alleged killed. The incident took place in Kafra Hamra. The Syrian Newsdesk blamed Russia for “five raids” which not only killed a child, but also left 12 “seriously wounded”. Syrian Pulse, however, reported that there were more than 15…

Summary

Published
12 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
10–12
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12 July 2016

Incident Code

RS0997

Location

قبر الأنكليزي, Kabr al Inglizi, Aleppo, Syria
A man named was killed in an an alleged Russian airstrike on Qabr Inglisi, according to local media. LCCSY and Smart News blamed Russia. Smart News reported the death of two people in this raid, but the other has victim has not been identified. There is no other information on this raid.

Summary

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

Incident Date

12 July 2016

Incident Code

RS0998

Location

عنجارة, Ain Jara, Aleppo, Syria
Three civilians died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Ain Jara, according to local media. All sources  blamed Russian warplanes for the attack in Ain Jara. NabdsyriaTV claimed that others were also wounded and trapped under the rubble for a period of time.

Summary

Published
12 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12 July 2016

Incident Code

RS0996

Location

زارع, Zara, Hama, Syria
An unspecified number of civilians died in an airstrike on a power station in Zara, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. Ara News reported that “Russian warplane shelling with missiles and cluster bombs in Al-Zara and Harbnafsa killed a number of…

Summary

Published
12 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
0–2
Civilians reported injured
0–2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12 July 2016

Incident Code

RS0999

Location

Al Hadlat camp, near Al Hammad, Deir Ezzor, Syria
All sources blamed Russian warplanes for the airstrikes on Al Hadlat camp for displaced persons which reportedly killed up to 30 civilians. The camp is on the border near Al Hammad, in the Hammad Desert. Saeed Seif, a media activist in Badiyat Sham (Sham Desert), reported that there were more than seven raids on the camp,…

Summary

Published
12 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
10–30
Civilians reported injured
10–50
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident