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

4,338 – 6,384

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 4,842 separate alleged incidents.

1,145 – 1,394
children likely killed
632 – 766
women likely killed
6,544
likely injured
3,435
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
15,282 – 24,392
Locally reported civilian deaths from Russian Military actions in Syria.
4,842 seperate alleged incidents
Confirmed or Fair
4,338 – 6,384
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by Russian Military
1,344 seperate alleged incidents
Weak
727 – 848
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Weak.
457 seperate alleged incidents
Contested
10,113 – 17,043
Civilian deaths for which the reporting is assessed by Airwars as Contested.
3,026 seperate alleged incidents
Discounted
104 – 117
Civilian deaths were Discounted by Airwars after assessment.
15 seperate alleged incidents
4808 incidents
Order results by:
Incident Date Publication Date

Incident Date

3 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0845

Location

Marjah (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
حي ‏المرجة‬
Four or five civilians died in an air or artillery on Marja, according to local sources - though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia was responsible or the Syrian regime. The Shaam News Network, reported on alleged Russian raids with warplanes and helicopters across Aleppo and its surrounding countryside. It said that this coincided…

Summary

Published
3 June 2016
View Incident

Incident Date

3 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0846

Location

Sheikh Khudar (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
الشيخ خضر
One or two civilians died in an air or artillery strike on Sheikh Khudar, according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether Russia was repsonsible or the Syrian regime. The Shaam News Network, reported on alleged Russian raids with warplanes and helicopters across Aleppo and its surrounding countryside. It said that this coincided…

Summary

Published
3 June 2016
View Incident

Incident Date

3 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0844

Location

Bei'deen (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
حي ‫‏بعيدين‬
Between one and five civilians died in an air or artillery strike on Bei’deen, according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether Russia was responsible or the Syrian regime. The Shaam News Network, reported on alleged Russian raids with warplanes and helicopters across Aleppo and its surrounding countryside. It said that…

Summary

Published
3 June 2016
View Incident

Incident Date

3 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0843

Location

Salheen (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
حي الصالحين
Up to seven civilians died in an air or artillery strike on Salheen, according to local reports – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. The Shaam News Network reported on alleged Russian raids with warplanes and helicopters across Aleppo and its surrounding countryside. It said that this…

Summary

Published
3 June 2016
View Incident

Incident Date

3 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0842

Location

Huluk (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
الهلك
Up to 15 civilians died in an incident in Huluk, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime. The Shaam News Network reported on alleged Russian raids with warplanes and helicopters across Aleppo and its surrounding countryside. It said that this…

Summary

Published
3 June 2016
View Incident

Incident Date

3 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0840

Location

Al Kalassa (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
حي الكلاسة
Between six and eight civilians died and 12 more were injured in an air or artillery strikes on the Al Kalassa neighbourhood in Aleppo, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime. The Shaam News Network reported Russian raids with warplanes…

Summary

Published
3 June 2016
View Incident