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

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

Incident Date

1 July 2016

Incident Code

RS0967

Location

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria
Heavy air raids on Al Bab – which local sources blamed either on Russia or unidentified aircraft – reportedly killed up to two civilians in Al Bab. According to Syrian PC, “Russian warplanes raids in Al bab city killed a number of people and wounded others.” Syria Feed cited one death, while according to the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

1 July 2016

Incident Code

RS0968

Location

حريتان, Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria
Heavy airstrikes on Hraytan – which local sources blamed on either Russian planes or Syrian regime helicopters – killed two named children. According to the Syrian Observatory the town was also attacked with artillery. One local source, Syrian Press Center, said that “Russia and the regime carried out 40 raids, and threw 30 explosive barrels,…

Summary

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

Incident Date

1 July 2016

Incident Code

RS0969

Location

حي طريق الباب, Tareeq al-Bab (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Heavy shelling by warplanes was reported on the commercial market of Tareeq al Bab. Sources blamed either Russian and Syrian Regime warplanes, or both. Strikes reportedly killed between 12 and 30 civilians with “dozens injured.” The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported the use of missiles and blamed the regime for the destruction. According to…

Summary

Published
1 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
12–30
Civilians reported injured
12–33
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

30 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0963

Location

حي المغاير, Al Maghayer (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Two children were killed and up to dozens more were wounded as a result airstrikes on the city al-Maghayer outside of Aleppo, local media reported – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime. Aleppo White Helmets reported  that “a short while ago a missile fell…

Summary

Published
30 June 2016
Civilians reported killed
2–4
Civilians reported injured
1–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

30 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0964

Location

حريتان, Baghdad street, Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria
Local media reported that alleged Russian airstrikes in Baghdad street in Hraitan outside of Aleppo killed three civilian men and wounded several more. According to Halab Today TV, “three civilians were martyred following the targeting of Baghdad street in the town of Hraitan in Aleppo”.  Radio al-kul added that the strikes left several wounded. LCCSY,…

Summary

Published
30 June 2016
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident