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

17 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0918

Location

عطشان, Al Atshan, Hama, Syria
Reports said that five civilians including three children and two women died in a refugee camp for displaced persons near A’tshan in the northern Hama countryside. The majority of sources including numerous independent tweets have attributed this offensive with Russia. Aljazeera said that Moscow was responsible, reporting that victims were “killed in a Russian aerial bombardment…

Summary

Published
17 June 2016
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0916

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Shiekhoun, Idlib, Syria
Multiple sources reported that a woman died and five other civilians wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on Khan Sheikhoun. The syriannewsdesk, and Halab Today TV were among sources that blamed the attacks on Russian warplanes, specifying the use of cluster bombs. The Shaam News Network reported that some of those injured involved “cases of amputation due to…

Summary

Published
17 June 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
5–8
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

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

16 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0912

Location

ﺣﻠﺐ, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
A single source, Shaam News Network, reported civilians killed and wounded following alleged Russian airstrikes on various locations in Aleppo. The report stated, “In the stricken city of Aleppo Russian aircraft and Assad’s helicopters have carried out raids on the neighborhoods of al Maysar, Bani Zeid, Altarab,  Bab al-Nairab, Alsakhur, Hanano residences, Al Hawooz roundabout,…

Summary

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

Incident Date

16 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0913

Location

Castello Road, Aleppo, Syria
The Syrian news desk reported that three civilians were killed in an overnight offensive on Castello Road. The people killed were travelling down this road in a car, according to this source and others. The Syrian news desk reported that  victims had been unable to evacuate the area during the daytime ‘due to regime troops…

Summary

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