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

8 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0881

Location

كفر حمرة, Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Syria
Seven civilians including  two children died in airstrikes on Kafr Hamra, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was an attack by Russia or regime forces. LCCSY reported that Russian strikes had killed four civilians, with one “infant body” being dug out from the rubble – though a second…

Summary

Published
8 June 2016
Civilians reported killed
7
Civilians reported injured
5–10
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

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

7 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0877

Location

دارة عزة, Darat Izza, Aleppo, Syria
The Violations Documentation Center, reported one girl killed in an alleged Russian airstrikes on Darat Izza. All4Syria and A_siba also blamed Russia, though the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights did not identify the culprit.

Summary

Published
7 June 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

7 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0878

Location

الموحسن, Muhassan, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Five civilians including two or three women and one child died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Muhassan, according to local sources. Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently named two female victims and alleged "they were killed in Russian Raids". Gulfeyes named two additional victims (though did not identify the warplanes responsible). Additionally, LCCSY reported on June 11th that…

Summary

Published
7 June 2016
Civilians reported killed
5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

7 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0875

Location

ياقد العدس, Yaqid al Adas, Aleppo, Syria
One civilian was killed and several others injured when Russian warplanes struck Yaqid al Adas with cluster bombs, according to local sources. LCCSY, Syrianpc and Baladi were among sources blaming Russia. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that warplanes carried out raids on Yaqid al Adas, but did not provide any further details.

Summary

Published
7 June 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2–3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident