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

25 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0939

Location

معارة الارتيق, Maarat al Arteek, Aleppo, Syria
An alleged Russia airstrike killed up to two civilians and left a number of others wounded in the city of Maarat al-Artiq, local media reported. Multiple sources blamed Russia for the event, though several referred only to “warplanes”. According to @HalabNewsN there were two Russian strikes.

Summary

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

Incident Date

25 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0943

Location

خربة العمقية, Kharbat al A'mika, Hama, Syria
According to local reports, an alleged Russian airstrike on Kharbat al-A’mika killed between three and 11 civilians and wounded a number others. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that the airstrike killed one entire family: “The bombing on the village (…) resulted in the killing of five individuals from the same family [four children…

Summary

Published
25 June 2016
Civilians reported killed
3–11
Civilians reported injured
2–10
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

25 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0942

Location

القورية, Al Qouria, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In a major casualty incident, up to 80 civilians including 29 children and 21 women died and up to 100 more were wounded in airstrikes on al Qouria town, according to local media. Reports said that entire families were wiped out, and Airwars has listed the names of 74 victims. It is currently unclear who…

Summary

Published
25 June 2016
Civilians reported killed
74–80
Civilians reported injured
12–100
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

24 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0938

Location

أورم الكبرى, Urma al Kubra, Aleppo, Syria
According to a range of local media reports, between two and six civilians including up to two children and three women were killed and up to 45 civilians were injured in an airstrike on Urma al Kubra. There are conflicting statements as to whether the airstrike was conducted by the Syrian or the Russian regime.…

Summary

Published
24 June 2016
Civilians reported killed
2–6
Civilians reported injured
3–45
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

24 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0937

Location

‏الشيخ احمد‬, Sheikh Ahmad, Aleppo, Syria
Between two and three civilians including up to two children and one woman died in an airstrike on Sheikh Ahmad, according to local reports – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible. The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SN4HR), Halab Today and Syria2011 attributed the event to Russia.…

Summary

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

Incident Date

23 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0933

Location

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria
One woman died and other civilians were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Bab city, Aleppo governorate, local sources reported. According to  LCCYS, “The Russian warplanes used internationally-banned phosphorous bombs and vacuum missiles on Bab city and Mahdoum in the eastern suburb, resulting in the death of one woman and injury of other people”.…

Summary

Published
23 June 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident