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

6 July 2016

Incident Code

RS0977

Location

جسر الشغور, Jisr al-Shughur, Idlib, Syria
Three children died and seven more civilians were wounded in airstrikes on Jisr al Shoughour, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. Reports said ‘the national hospital in Jisr al Shoughour’ or ‘a field hospital’ was struck, along with the Sakan Al-Shababi…

Summary

Published
6 July 2016
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
7
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

5 July 2016

Incident Code

RS0975

Location

حيان, Hayan, Aleppo, Syria
One civilian died in an airstrike on Hayan, local media said – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. Naser Altamimi tweeted that “Russian and Syrian warplanes hit Hayan”, while the Shaam News Network said that “Russian warplanes and regime helicopters launched intense and violent raids on the towns…

Summary

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

Incident Date

5 July 2016

Incident Code

RS0976

Location

حريتان, Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria
On July 5th 2016, alleged shelling by either Russian and/or Syrian regime warplanes, killed up to four civilians. According to Step News and Al Jazeera there were no reported casualties, however Janoubia News reported one female casualty, and Halab Today named one male civilian casualty - yet the age is not specified. Further to this,…

Summary

Published
5 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
1–4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

4 July 2016

Incident Code

RS0974

Location

خان الشيح‬, Khan al Sheikh, Damascus, Syria
A Children’s Protection Centre in Khan al-Sheikh camp was reportedly struck and “almost totally destroyed” in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes. Local sources added that the shelling also destroyed houses, killing four civilians and wounding five more. According to the Shaam News Network, “Russian planes launched air raids on farms and on the outskirts…

Summary

Published
4 July 2016
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Residential, Agriculture, IDP or Refugee Camp
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

4 July 2016

Incident Code

RS0973

Location

كفر حمرة, Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Syria
Reports said both Russian and Syrian regime warplanes caused destruction to Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, “before Iftar” (sunset) on July 4th, killing between four and seven civilians including two young girls. Multiple sources including Al Jazeera described the use of missiles, explosive barrels and cluster bombs, which caused destruction to the local community of not only…

Summary

Published
4 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
4–7
Civilians reported injured
5–16
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

2 July 2016

Incident Code

RS0972

Location

الرستن‬, Ar-Rastan, Homs, Syria
Heavy and “barbaric” shelling killed six named civilians including two children and injured between 10 and 25 civilians in Ar-Rastan, Homs, according to local media. The majority of the injured were – according to Baladi News and Sna Agency – mostly women and children. Sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of…

Summary

Published
2 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
6–9
Civilians reported injured
10–25
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident