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

7 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0876

Location

مَعَرَّة النُّعْمَان, Maarat al Numan, Idlib, Syria
Two civilians - a child and a woman - died in an airstrike on Maarat al Numan, according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime. LCCSY said that one civilian died and several others were wounded in a suspected Russian strike.…

Summary

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

Incident Date

7 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0874

Location

حريتان, Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria
Local sources said that two civilians died in an airstrike on Hraytan – though reports are conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime. The White Helmets published a video and image of them extinguishing a fire in a “civilian car” which they said had been caused by “helicopters…

Summary

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

Incident Date

7 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0873

Location

ﺣﻠﺐ, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Several civilians died in alleged Russian strikes on various locations across Aleppo during the second day of Ramadan, according to local sources. The Shaam News Network reported that Russian warplanes and regime helicopters “launched air raids using phosphorous and cluster bombs and explosive barrels on the cities of Huraytan and anadan and towns of Hayan…

Summary

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

Incident Date

6 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0864

Location

ذيبان‬, Ziban, Deir Ezzor, Syria
On June 8th, a single source, Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently, reported that a civilian died from wounds sustained in an alleged Russian strike a few days previously. No further details are currently available.

Summary

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

Incident Date

6 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0872

Location

كفر حمرة, Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Syria
Four civilians died in an airstrike on Kafr Hamra, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. The Shaam News Network, reported that 21 civilians died in Aleppo “in the first day of Ramadan in regime and Russian bombing“. It put the death…

Summary

Published
6 June 2016
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Civilians reported injured
8–10
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

6 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0871

Location

كفر حلب, Kafr Halab, Aleppo, Syria
Five civilians died in an airstrike on Kafr Halab, according to local sources – though it was unclear from reports whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime. The Shaam News Network, reported that 21 civilians died in Aleppo “in the first day of Ramadan in regime and Russian bombing“. It put…

Summary

Published
6 June 2016
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident