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

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

9 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0883

Location

حي السكري, Sukkari (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
According to LCCSY and Alamwai, one child and an elderly man were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on the Sukkari neighborhood in Aleppo.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

9 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0884

Location

حريتان, Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria
Two or three civilians including one child were killed in an airstrike on Hraytan, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime. The Syrian Network for Human Rights said that “suspected Russian warplanes” had fired missiles on the city, leading to…

Summary

Published
9 June 2016
Civilians reported killed
2–3
Civilians reported injured
5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

9 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0885

Location

حي ‏الجزماتي‬, Al Jazmati (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Three civilians including a child and a woman died and dozens more were injured when non-combatants’ homes were struck by airstrikes in the Al Jazamati neighborhood of Aleppo, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted or unclear as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime. LCCSY blamed Russian strikes…

Summary

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

Incident Date

8 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0880

Location

حي الشعار, Al Bayan hospital, Al Shia'ar (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Between eight and 18 civilians died and dozens more were injured when strikes hit the Al Shia’ar neighborhood in Aleppo, including Al Bayan hospital – with doctors, patients and members of the White Helmets among the casualties. The incident looks to have been carried out by the Syrian regime – with the majority of the…

Summary

Published
8 June 2016
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
8–18
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

8 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0879

Location

حي الصالحين, Salheen (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Three civilians including one woman died and six others were injured in an airstrike on Salheen, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was an attack by Russia or the Syrian regime. According to an initial report by LCCSY, three civilians including a woman were killed and several others injured in Russian…

Summary

Published
8 June 2016
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
6
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident