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

14 June 2016

Incident Codes

CS229 RS0908

Location

‏الغوز‬, Al Ghouz, Aleppo, Syria
A family of seven civilians died in an airstrike on the village of Al ghouz, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Coalition. Aleppo 24 reported that a suspected Russian cluster bomb raid was responsible. Other sources, including Al Mukhtassar, @ALAMAWI  and Nabd Syria all…

Summary

Published
14 June 2016
Civilians reported killed
7
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

14 June 2016

Incident Codes

CS230 RS0909

Location

‏السموقة‬, Jisr Samouqa, Aleppo, Syria
Three civilians died in an airstrike on the village of Samouqa, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the US-led Coalition. Aleppo24, @ALAMAWI, Al Mukhtassar and Nabd Syria blamed Russia. Aleppo 24 reported: “A family made up of 7 people killed and 3 other civilians killed…

Summary

Published
14 June 2016
Civilians reported killed
3
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

13 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0901

Location

إدلب, Idlib, Idlib, Syria
Five or six civilians died and dozens more were injured in an airstrike on idlib, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the regime – or possibly both parties. An initial report by The Shaam News Network said that Russian warplanes targeted the “medical…

Summary

Published
13 June 2016
Civilians reported killed
5–6
Civilians reported injured
1–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

13 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0902

Location

المعادي, Al Ma'adi (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Between one and four civilians died in an airstrike on Al Ma’adi, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime was to blame. Among the sources blaming Russia were LCCSY and the Syrian Network for Human Rights. According to SN4HR, at least three civilians including two children…

Summary

Published
13 June 2016
Civilians reported killed
1–4
Civilians reported injured
2–6
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0898

Location

حي الكلاسة, Al Kalassa (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
One girl died and one other unidentified civilian died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Kalassa, according to local media. SRG_syria, @freesyria28 reported the death of a child in what they said was a Russian raid. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights was among other sources who didn’t identify the warplanes responsible for the strike. The…

Summary

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

Incident Date

12 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0899

Location

إدلب, Idlib, Idlib, Syria
Between 17 and 40 civilians died including up to 18 children – and up to 100 others were wounded – in airstrikes on one of the largest vegetable markets in Idlib, according to multiple local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether this major casualty incident was the work of Russia or the…

Summary

Published
12 June 2016
Civilians reported killed
17–40
Civilians reported injured
24–100
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident