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

29 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0957

Location

الكسيح‬, Al Kassih (Idlib), Idlib, Syria
Up to three civilians, including one child, died and several more were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Kassih, local media reported. According to Step News Agency, “warplanes launched air strikes on the Kasih neighborhood within the city of Idlib, killing at least two people and injuring many more.” LCCSY put the death toll…

Summary

Published
29 June 2016
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
2–10
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

29 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0959

Location

سراقب, Saraqib, Idlib, Syria
Up to four civilians including a child died and as many as five more were wounded in airstrikes on the outskirts of Saqabib, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. LCCSY, Syria News Desk, Qasioun and al-AMAWI blamed Russia.   Regarding the…

Summary

Published
29 June 2016
Civilians reported killed
1–4
Civilians reported injured
2–5
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

Incident Date

28 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0955

Location

منطقة كباني "الكبينة", Al Kabina area, Latakia, Syria
Airstrikes in the al-Kabina area outside of Lattakia led to the death and injury of several civilians, local media reported. According to Syria News Network “intense airstrikes by the Russian Aviation occurred alongside clashes which targeted areas controlled by the rebel regions. A number of civilians were killed and wounded, and civilian homes were targeted…

Summary

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

Incident Date

28 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0956

Location

ياقد العدس, Yaqid al Adas, Aleppo, Syria
Local media reported an incident in the town of Yaked al-Abas near Aleppo, that led to the death of up to 13 civilians, including four members of the The White Helmets. Sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. Aleppo White Helmets reported, “the news of the martyrdom of…

Summary

Published
28 June 2016
Civilians reported killed
4–13
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

27 June 2016

Incident Codes

CS243 RS0954

Location

الخفسة, Al Khafsa, Aleppo, Syria
Between five and 13 civilians died in airstrikes on Al Khafssa, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia, the US-led Coalition or the Syrian regime were to blame. The majority of sources, including HNN, @AJABreaking and @HalabNewsN blamed Russia. The Step News Agency, also attributed the event to Russia, put…

Summary

Published
27 June 2016
Civilians reported killed
5–13
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident