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

11 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0893

Location

حور, Hor, Aleppo, Syria
One girl died and many others were injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on Hor. The Shaam News Network blamed Russia, but provided no further details. According to Pressbshalmoon, a “little girl” died and “many others” were injured in a Russian raid. A number of other sources also said a child died, but didn’t identify the culprit.

Summary

Published
11 June 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

11 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0894

Location

الحيدرية, Haydariya (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Between one and six civilians died in either an airstrike on artillery bombardment on Haydariya, according to local sources – though it was unclear from reports whether Russia or the Syrian regime was responsible. Reporting on the deaths of civilians in Aleppo from “Russian aircraft and Assad’s helicopters“, the Shaam News Network said that “shelling…

Summary

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

Incident Date

11 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0892

Location

أورم الكبرى, Urma al Kubra, Aleppo, Syria
Between three and eight non-combatants including two children, a woman and a member of the White Helmets died and dozens more were injured in raids on Orm al Kubra, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime. LCCSY reported that four civilians including…

Summary

Published
11 June 2016
Civilians reported killed
3–8
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

11 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0891

Location

‏عينجارة‬, Anjara, Aleppo, Syria
Two children were killed in airstrikes on Anjara, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted and confused as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian Regime. LCCSY initially reported that the strikes were Russian, killing two children and wounding other civilians when homes were targeted with cluster bombs. However,…

Summary

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

Incident Date

10 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0889

Location

جعيدين, Jaideen, Raqqa, Syria
Multiple sources reported that one woman and three children were killed in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on Jaideen. The Shaam News Network said that “Russian raids  targeted the town of Jai’deen leading to the death of four martyrs – a woman and three of her children”. However, the Syrian Network for Human Rights…

Summary

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

Incident Date

10 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0888

Location

عندان, Anadan, Aleppo, Syria
Two civilians died and eight more were injured airstrikes on Anadan, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible. The Shaam News Network reported that “Russian warplanes carried out several air strikes with cluster bombs” on Anadan, killing two civilians and wounding another eight…

Summary

Published
10 June 2016
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
8
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident