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

2 July 2016

Incident Code

RS0970

Location

حي المشهد, Al Mashad (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
An entire residential building in the neighbourhood of Al-Mashhad was reportedly destroyed killing four or five civilians. Both LCCSY and locals have confirmed the shelling took place on Al-Albisah Street. Multiple sources claim there was heavy shelling and the use of missiles by Russian warplanes. All sources, including Syrian News Desk, reported the warplanes to be Russian.…

Summary

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

Incident Date

2 July 2016

Incident Code

RS0971

Location

حريتان, Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria
Continuous heavy shelling by warplanes was reported to have killed seven civilians including an entire family of four in Hraytan. Other than Syrian News, who claimed there were both Russian and Syrian regime planes, all other sources have reported Russia the sole culprit. Syrian News reported that the neighbourhood Al-Haramis was shelled and Hraytan alleged…

Summary

Published
2 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
7
Civilians reported injured
3–5
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

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

30 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0966

Location

دير الزور, Deir ez-Zor, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local media reported that up to four civilians died and several more were injured in an airstrike on Deir Ezzor – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. According to one source, Al Jisrtv, ISIS mortars also hit the governorate on this day. The Syrian News Network reported  that…

Summary

Published
30 June 2016
Civilians reported killed
1–4
Civilians reported injured
0–2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident