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

29 May 2016

Incident Code

RS0821

Location

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria
Between 13 and 15 civilians including two children died and 22 others were wounded in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes on Manbij, according to two local sources. The media activist Ahmed al-Mohammad told Edorar that 13 civilians died in a Russian strike on buildings in the city, “emphasizing that four missiles targeted a three-storey residential…

Summary

Published
29 May 2016
Civilians reported killed
13–15
Civilians reported injured
22
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

29 May 2016

Incident Code

RS0819

Location

‏الكبر‬, Al Kiber, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A civilian male named as Sahir Attallah al Ayyad died from injuries sustained in a reported Russian airstrike on al Kiber “two months earlier.” No additional details are presently known, including the precise date of death.    

Summary

Published
29 May 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

29 May 2016

Incident Code

RS0820

Location

تل الضمان‬, Tal al Daman, Aleppo, Syria
Between six and ten civilians including one child and two women died – and 20 more people were injured – in an alleged Russian airstrike on a popular market in Tal al Daman according to local sources. Activists told the Shaam News Network that Russian warplanes used cluster bombs to strike the market. It put…

Summary

Published
29 May 2016
Civilians reported killed
6–10
Civilians reported injured
17–20
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

28 May 2016

Incident Code

RS0816

Location

الهلك, Huluk (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
A member of the the White Helmets was reported killed and two ambulances destroyed in airstrikes or barrel bomb strikes on Hulluk and Bai’deen.  

Summary

Published
28 May 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

28 May 2016

Incident Code

RS0817

Location

مسكنة, Maskanah, Aleppo, Syria
One unnamed civilian was reported killed and two or more injured in alleged regime (or possibly Russian) airstrikes on Maskaneh. No additional details are presently known.  

Summary

Published
28 May 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

28 May 2016

Incident Code

RS0818

Location

الصاخور, Al Sakhour (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Multiple local sources reported Russian and Syrian regime raids on various parts of Aleppo, killing up to 17 civilians – including two or more children – and wounding others. In a news roundup, the Shaam News Network reported that Russian warplanes and helicopters had carried out raids with “vacuum missiles, cluster bombs and barrel bombs”…

Summary

Published
28 May 2016
Civilians reported killed
5–8
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident