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

19 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0926

Location

Castello Road, Aleppo, Syria
Three civilians were reported killed in airstrikes on the Al Castello Road north of Aleppo city, according to local media – though it is unclear whether Russia or the Assad regime were to blame. The Syrian Network for Human Rights said that a media activist and IT Engineering student at the Free Aleppo University died…

Summary

Published
19 June 2016
Civilians reported killed
3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

18 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0919

Location

الهزيمة, Al Hazimah, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian died at midday on June 18th, after incurring injuries from alleged Russian airstrikes on Hazima village, northern Ar Raqqah, local media reported. Baladi News said that the man died, “as a result of military aviation targeting al Hazima  village” in the midst of “great destruction in the region”. Though Baladi did not specify that the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

18 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0920

Location

حريتان, Al Harameis, Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria
Three or four children died following airstrikes on Al Harmeis, Hraitan city, Aleppo governorate. There are contradictions in the sources obtained as some alleged that the regime was responsible; moreover, a significant number of reports did not apportion blame. Later reports said the death toll rose to four children, while Syrian Press Center alleged eight…

Summary

Published
18 June 2016
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Civilians reported injured
8
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

18 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0921

Location

كفر حمرة, Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Syria
Multiple sources, including LCCSY, and a video by Halab TV, reported a female civilian was killed in raids on Kafr Hamra. Umayyapress news reported that ‘more than two dozen airstrikes’ took place on Kafr Hamra, and pointed to both the regime and Russia. In a facebook post by LCCSY Russian action was also directly blamed for this…

Summary

Published
18 June 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0914

Location

الثورة‎, Al-Thawrah (Tabaqah), Raqqa, Syria
Multiple sources reported Russian warplanes carried out strikes in the region of Ar Raqqah and Al Tabaqa, reportedly killing 13 or more people and injuring up to 20. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently identifed eight locations: Near the al Hamza mosque Near the al Rahma mosque The first neighbourhood at the entrance of al Bahira…

Summary

Published
17 June 2016
Civilians reported killed
5–13
Civilians reported injured
17–20
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 June 2016

Incident Codes

CS232 RS0915

Location

المنصورة, Al Mansoura, Raqqa, Syria
Between three and five civilians died and up to 17 others were wounded in an airstrike on Al Mansoura village, according to local media. Multiple reports said a strike hit a car travelling along the al Rasafa road and killed those inside. It was unclear who was responsible for the deaths, with allegations against Russia,…

Summary

Published
17 June 2016
Civilians reported killed
3–5
Civilians reported injured
2–17
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident