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

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

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

8 July 2016

Incident Code

RS0979

Location

كفر ناها, Kafr Naha, Aleppo, Syria
One child died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Kafr Naha, according to local media. Halab Today and Orient News blamed Russia. Syria_Feed reported on shelling and heavy machine guns, while all other sources claimed only shelling.

Summary

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

Incident Date

8 July 2016

Incident Code

RS0978

Location

حي الصالحين, Salheen (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
A petrol station was destroyed causing huge fires in Salheen following alleged Russian and Syrian regime warplane shelling, reportedly killing up to six civilians including three children. Burqa Media, LCCSY and local sources reported that Russian warplanes caused the damage to the neighbourhood. But Halab News reported the raids to be conducted by the Syrian…

Summary

Published
8 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
3–6
Civilians reported injured
5–10
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

8 July 2016

Incident Code

RS0980

Location

حي طريق الباب, Tareeq al-Bab (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Up to five civilians including two children died and 15 more were wounded in strikes by warplanes and helicopters on Tareek al Bab, according to local sources – though it was unclear whether Russian jets or Syrian regime helicopters were to blame. Orient News reported that the Regime helicopters used explosive barrels. There were multiple…

Summary

Published
8 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
3–5
Civilians reported injured
15
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

8 July 2016

Incident Code

RS0981

Location

دركوش, Darkoush, Idlib, Syria
Twenty six named civilians including a child and eight women died and up to 70 more were wounded in an airstrike on a residential neighbourhood and popular market in Darkoush, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. The strike reportedly took place…

Summary

Published
8 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
26–30
Civilians reported injured
35–70
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident