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

30 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0965

Location

الأتارب, Al Atarib, Aleppo, Syria
Two civilians died including one child and several more people were wounded in airstrikes on Atareb, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. Sources reported that the victims were father and daughter. According to LCCSY the two were killed after "Russian warplanes…

Summary

Published
30 June 2016
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2–5
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

Incident Date

29 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0960

Location

حيان, Hayyan, Aleppo, Syria
Up to four civilians died and several more were wounded in airstrikes on Hayan in Aleppo, local media said – though most sources blamed Russia, there was also an allegation against the Syrian regime. Most sources reported the death of one civilian, while one source, LCCSY alleged the strikes led to four civilian deaths. Halab…

Summary

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

Incident Date

29 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0961

Location

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria
Up to 13 civilians died and as many as 20 more were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Bab city, according to local media. Many sources reported that at least seven were killed. Qasioun reported that “Seven civilians were killed and several injured Thursday morning [June 29th], as a result of air strikes on…

Summary

Published
29 June 2016
Civilians reported killed
7–13
Civilians reported injured
2–20
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

29 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0962

Location

المسرب, Al Masreb, Deir Ezzor, Syria
At least four civilians, including two children and one woman, were killed in airstrikes on the village al-Mashreb, reported local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible for the deaths. Most sources, including Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently, al-AMAWI, Baladi News and the Syrian Network…

Summary

Published
29 June 2016
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

29 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0958

Location

خان الشيح‬, Khan al Sheikh, Damascus, Syria
Local sources reported airstrikes targeted the Palestinian refugee camp Khan al-Sheikh, leading to the death of at least six civilians including one child and one woman. Sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame for the attacks. The highest death toll was given by Radar News, who reported eight…

Summary

Published
29 June 2016
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
6–8
Civilians reported injured
2–12
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident