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

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

Incident Date

1 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0831

Location

حي خان العسل, Khan Al Assal (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Three civilians including one child died and five more were injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on Khan Assal, according to local sources. Orient News put the death toll at three and said that one of those killed was a child. It blamed Russia. Step News Agency also said that Russia was responsible, while SRG…

Summary

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

Incident Date

31 May 2016

Incident Codes

CS220 RS0830

Location

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria
As many as 15 civilians including at least three children reportedly died in Coalition airstrikes in support of a major Kurdish ground offensive against Daesh near Manbij. Citing the Syrian Observatory, Reuters noted that “U.S.-led air strikes in support of the ground operation [reportedly] killed 15 civilians including three children near Manbij in the past…

Summary

Published
31 May 2016
Civilians reported killed
8–15
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

31 May 2016

Incident Code

RS0827

Location

السخنة, As Sukhnah, Homs, Syria
A single source, LCCSY, reported that nine civilians were killed in Homs – “most of them in Russian airstrikes on Sukhnah city”. No further details are presently known.  

Summary

Published
31 May 2016
Civilians reported killed
9
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

31 May 2016

Incident Code

RS0829

Location

كفر حمرة, Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Syria
It was reported that up to ten civilians died in air raids on Kafr Hamra. The majority of sources linked the event to both Russian warplanes and regime helicopters. LCCSY reported that one civilian died and others were injured following alleged Russian raids on the town. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that ‘warplanes’…

Summary

Published
31 May 2016
Civilians reported killed
5–10
Civilians reported injured
15–17
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident