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

5 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0855

Location

Karam al Jabal (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Between five and eight civilians died including a child and two women in an airstrike on Karam al Jabal, according to local sources. Only LCCSY blamed Russia, putting the death toll at seven. A report by the Shaam News Network referred to “warplanes” and then “Assad regime raids”. According to the Syrian Network for Human…

Summary

Published
5 June 2016
Civilians reported killed
5–8
Civilians reported injured
2–5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

5 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0856

Location

Babis, Aleppo, Syria
Up to two non-combatants were killed in an airstrike on Babis, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible. LCCSY reported that one civilian died and six others were wounded in a Russian strike on the town. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights,…

Summary

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

Incident Date

5 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0854

Location

Al Castillo road, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
One civilian died and several others injured in an airstrike on the Al Castillo road in Aleppo, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible. The Shaam News Network reported one death, but referred to “warplanes” and “Assad regime raids”. However, Qasioun reported that…

Summary

Published
5 June 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

5 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0857

Location

Bei'deen (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Two civilians died in an airstrike on Bei’deen, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible. LCCSY, reported that two civilians died and several more were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike. Alamawi, Shahba Press also said that Russia was responsible But  Arabstoday and…

Summary

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

Incident Date

5 June 2016

Incident Codes

CS224a RS0858

Location

شعيب الذكر, Shai'eeb al Zakar, Raqqa, Syria
Five civilians including three children died in an airstrike on airstrike on Shai’eeb al Zakar, according to local sources though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible, with one report saying that the warplanes were thought to have belonged to the US-led Coalition. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently blamed a…

Summary

Published
5 June 2016
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

5 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0859

Location

هورة الجريات, Horat al Jariyat, Raqqa, Syria
According to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently, two civilians died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Horat al Jariya. The Shaam News Network also blamed Russia, but did not provide casualty numbers. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights put the death toll at three but didn’t identify the warplanes responsible.

Summary

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