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

3 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0839

Location

سراقب, Saraqib, Idlib, Syria
One or two civilians died in an airstrike on Saraqib, according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. LCCSY put the death toll at two, blaming Russian vacuum missiles. Activists told the Shaam News Network that two warplanes hit Saraqib with six strikes using…

Summary

Published
3 June 2016
Infrastructure
Healthcare, Education
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
2–12
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

3 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0838

Location

ﺣﻠﺐ, Al Castello road Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Between eight and 15 civilians died when a bus was struck on the Al Castello road, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were to blame. The Shaam News Network initially reported regime warplanes killed six civilians when they “fired near a bus on Al Castello…

Summary

Published
3 June 2016
Civilians reported killed
8–15
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

3 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0837

Location

البوليل, Al Buliyal, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Sixteen civilians including several children and four women died in airstrikes on Al Buliyal, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the regime, with a number of sources not naming a culprit. LCCSY said that 15 civilians including four women and a child…

Summary

Published
3 June 2016
Civilians reported killed
15–16
Civilians reported injured
10–25
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

3 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0836

Location

التمانعة, At Tamani'ah, Idlib, Syria
According to one local source, LCCSY, one woman was killed and three other non-combatants wounded in several alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Al Tamani’ah. However, Smart News blamed “regime warplanes” for a woman’s death and the injury of “a number of other civilians”. Qasioun also reported the incident but did not identify the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

3 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0835

Location

سراقب, Saraqib, Idlib, Syria
Up to seven civilians including women and children died in an airstrike on Saraqib, according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime. LCCSY reported that one civilian died and several more were injured in an alleged Russian airstrike. Fresh Syria also…

Summary

Published
3 June 2016
Civilians reported killed
4–7
Civilians reported injured
2–10
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

2 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0834

Location

كفرجالس‬, Kafr Jaless farmlands, Idlib, Syria
Three civilians from one family died and several others were injured when farmlands at Kafr Jaless were hit with airstrikes, said reports by local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. According to Syrian Press Center, “Russian warplanes launched air strikes on houses…

Summary

Published
2 June 2016
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Residential, Agriculture (Agricultural Land)
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident