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

3 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0843

Location

حي الصالحين, Salheen (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Up to seven civilians died in an air or artillery strike on Salheen, according to local reports – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. The Shaam News Network reported on alleged Russian raids with warplanes and helicopters across Aleppo and its surrounding countryside. It said that this…

Summary

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

Incident Date

3 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0844

Location

حي ‫‏بعيدين‬, Bei'deen (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Between one and five civilians died in an air or artillery strike on Bei’deen, according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether Russia was responsible or the Syrian regime. The Shaam News Network, reported on alleged Russian raids with warplanes and helicopters across Aleppo and its surrounding countryside. It said that…

Summary

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

Incident Date

3 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0845

Location

حي ‏المرجة‬, Marjah (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Four or five civilians died in an air or artillery on Marja, according to local sources - though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia was responsible or the Syrian regime. The Shaam News Network, reported on alleged Russian raids with warplanes and helicopters across Aleppo and its surrounding countryside. It said that this coincided…

Summary

Published
3 June 2016
Civilians reported killed
4–5
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

3 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0846

Location

الشيخ خضر, Sheikh Khudar (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
One or two civilians died in an air or artillery strike on Sheikh Khudar, according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether Russia was repsonsible or the Syrian regime. The Shaam News Network, reported on alleged Russian raids with warplanes and helicopters across Aleppo and its surrounding countryside. It said that this coincided…

Summary

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

Incident Date

2 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0832

Location

أريحا, Ariha, Idlib, Syria
One woman died and between two and eight other civilians were injured in  airstrikes on Ariha, according to local sources. While most sources said that Russia was responsible, LCCSY blamed the Assad regime. The Shaam News Network reported that one woman was killed and two other civilians injured in Russian strikes on Ariha. Other sources,…

Summary

Published
2 June 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2–8
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

2 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0833

Location

بنش, Binnish, Idlib, Syria
Seven non-combatants from the same family died in an airstrike on Banis, according to local sources  – though reports are conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible. LCCSY said that a family of seven died in a strike by Russian warplanes using cluster bombs. Iraq gate also put the death toll…

Summary

Published
2 June 2016
Civilians reported killed
7–9
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident