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

27 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0950

Location

أورم الكبرى, Urma al Kubra, Aleppo, Syria
Local media reported that an alleged Russian strike on an aid store house in Urma al-Kubra killed one woman and wounded up to 12 other civilians. According to sources on the ground, the targeted building belonged the aid organisation “Big Heart”. Step News Agency said that “one of the refineries and a fuel oil plant…

Summary

Published
27 June 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2–12
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

27 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0951

Location

سراقب, Saraqib, Idlib, Syria
One civilian died and another eight were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on Saraqib, local sources on the ground reported. According to Baladi, “Warplanes launched two raids targeting residential neighborhoods in the city with Saraqib, resulting in martyrs and eight wounded, White Helmets teams went to the place and worked to dig out one the…

Summary

Published
27 June 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2–8
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

27 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0952

Location

خان الشيح‬, Khan al Sheikh, Damascus, Syria
Local media reported the death of one civilian and injury of four more people in alleged Russian airstrikes on Khan al Sheikh. According to Syrian Press Center “Russian planes carried out 24 air strikes, including the use of eight cluster strikes, on targeting Khan al Sheikh, resulting in civilian casualties, according to activists”. Smart News…

Summary

Published
27 June 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

27 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0953

Location

الباب, Al-Bab, Surgical Hospital, Aleppo, Syria
Local sources reported that two airstrikes hit the hospital in al-Bab city, causing the death of up to eight civilians, including two children and wounding up to 20 more. Included in the death count were up to five medics and two bodyguards. Sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or…

Summary

Published
27 June 2016
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
1–8
Civilians reported injured
4–20
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

Incident Date

26 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0944

Location

بنش, Binnish, Idlib, Syria
Airstrikes killed up to two civilians including at least one child and wounded up to ten others in the city of Binish, local media said. Sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime. Most local sources reported the death of up to two children. According to The…

Summary

Published
26 June 2016
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
2–10
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident