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

10 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0887

Location

حريتان, Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria
Up to four civilians including one woman and one child died in an airstrike on Hraytan, according to local sources – though it’s unclear form reports whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible. LCCSY, pointed towards Russia, saying that  one civilian died as a result of “shelling by vacuum missiles and cluster bombs“. A later…

Summary

Published
10 June 2016
Civilians reported killed
2–4
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

10 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0886

Location

Castello Road, Aleppo, Syria
Four or five civilians died in an airstrike on Castello road, according to local sources – though it’s unclear rom reports whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible. A report by LCCSY said that five civilians died in an alleged Russian airstrike. But Almokhtasar, Syrianpc and LCCSY were among other sources who blamed the regime. RadioAlkul said that the regime carried…

Summary

Published
10 June 2016
Civilians reported killed
4–5
Civilians reported injured
2
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

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

8 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0882

Location

حي ‏المرجة‬, Marjah (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Up to six civilians including two women and two children died and dozens more were injured in raids on the Marja neighborhood of Aleppo, according to local sources – though it is unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that four civilians including two women died…

Summary

Published
8 June 2016
Civilians reported killed
4–6
Civilians reported injured
6–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident