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

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

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

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

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

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

9 July 2016

Incident Code

RS0984

Location

جندول, Jandol (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Russian warplanes and Syrian Regime helicopters allegedly shelled a roundabout in Al Jandol killing three civilians, according to Halab News Network and Syrian Network for Human Rights. Several local news sources including Step News, Halab Today and Sky News blamed Russian warplanes for the shelling. Additionally, local source syriapost1 reported the use of “phosphorous bombs”. Ara…

Summary

Published
9 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident