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

11 July 2016

Incident Code

RS0992

Location

خان الشيح‬, Khan al Sheikh, Damascus, Syria
One young man died in an airstrike on Khan al Sheikh, western Ghouta, according to local media – though reports were split on whether Russia or the Syrian regime carried out the strike. LCCSY named the victim and blamed Russia. The Smart News Agency also said that Russia warplanes “killed a civilian and wounded more…

Summary

Published
11 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
5–10
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

11 July 2016

Incident Code

RS0994

Location

Turmanin, Idlib, Syria
Alleged Russian warplanes struck an oil market on the road between Termanin and Darat Ezza causing huge fires, chaos and destruction on July 11th 2016 and killing up to 20 civilians, according to sources on the ground. Reports referred to the attack as a “massacre” due to the level of destruction and high death toll.…

Summary

Published
11 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
6–20
Civilians reported injured
15–20
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

11 July 2016

Incident Code

RS0995

Location

Bizza Square and Bab Maqam, Aleppo, Syria
Two attacks reportedly occurred in Bab Maqam, Old Aleppo within moments of one another. The first incident took place specifically in Bizza Square, and the other in another part of Bab Maqam. Two sources reported that all together, in both incidents, 30 people were killed in Bab Maqam. LCCSY said that “Assad forces intensive shelling…

Summary

Published
11 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
25–30
Civilians reported injured
15
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

10 July 2016

Incident Code

RS0987

Location

بشنترا, Bashentra, Aleppo, Syria
Local media reported that four civilians died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Bashentra. Burqa News reported “Russian warplanes carried out shelling with missiles and cluster bombs”. Ara News placed the number of wounded at 10, whereas Step News said that as many as 50 were injured. It said that some of the injuries were…

Summary

Published
10 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
10–50
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

10 July 2016

Incident Code

RS0988

Location

حي السكري, Sukkari (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
One man was killed in an attack by an alleged Russian warplane in al Sukkari on July 10th 2016. All sources reported that the attack was carried out by Russian; there was no mention of the Syrian regime. “Others” were reported to have been wounded with no mention of numbers. Sinn News however published a…

Summary

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

Incident Date

10 July 2016

Incident Code

RS0985

Location

حر بنفسه, Harbnafsa, Hama, Syria
There were no reports of civilian casualties in Harbnafsa. However, there were reports of a casualty in Burj Qaei which is nearby the local area. Souriat News reported “Regime warplanes shelling and artillery in Harbnasfa and Zara. No reports of casualties.” To further this, Syrian Newsdesk reported, “Russian and regime planes launched more than 10…

Summary

Published
10 July 2016
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident