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

10 July 2016

Incident Code

RS0989

Location

إبين, Abeen, Aleppo, Syria
In a major civilian casualty event, 20 named civilians – mostly women and children – died and up to 30 more were wounded in airstrikes on Abeen village, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime carried out the attacks. Syrian Press Centre, Al Jazeera, Smart…

Summary

Published
10 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
20–24
Civilians reported injured
20–30
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

10 July 2016

Incident Code

RS0986

Location

Castello Road, Aleppo, Syria
A single source, LCCSY, reported that “Russian warplanes launched heavy airstrikes on the outskirts of Castillo Road which led to the martyrdom of four civilians we they were attempting to get out of the city.” According to LCCSY this falls in the same context as the airstrikes on “Kafarnaha and Bashantra towns in the Western…

Summary

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

Incident Date

10 July 2016

Incident Code

RS0990

Location

كفر حمرة, Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Syria
Two children from the same family died in airstrike on Kafr Hamra, according to sources on the ground – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. Both the regime and Russian jets were reportedly seen in Kafr Hamra on July 10th. Al Jazeera and Halab News Network…

Summary

Published
10 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
9–10
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

10 July 2016

Incident Code

RS0991

Location

برج قاية, Burj Qai', Homs, Syria
Nine named civilians including six children died and up to 11 more were injured in an airstrike on Burj Qai, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime.  The Syrian Human Rights Committee, Homs Media Centre, LCCSY and other local news…

Summary

Published
10 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
9
Civilians reported injured
7–11
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

9 July 2016

Incident Code

RS0983

Location

حي الشعار, Al Shia'ar (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Up to four civilians died and 10 more were wounded in an alleged airstrike on Al Shia’ar in Aleppo, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime. AMC reported that the Syrian regime killed four and wounded ten more. Other local…

Summary

Published
9 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
2–4
Civilians reported injured
5–10
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

9 July 2016

Incident Code

RS0982

Location

حريتان, Assiya (Hraytan), Aleppo, Syria
Four members of the Civil Defence Service were killed while traveling from Anadan to rescue civilians in Assiya, according to sources on the ground. The Step News Agency said that the Civil Defence team were specifically targeted with a missile. Al Jazeera claimed that it was the Syrian regime who were shelling various areas of…

Summary

Published
9 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
5–8
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident