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

10 May 2016

Incident Code

RS0797

Location

تقاد, Taqad, Aleppo, Syria
According to multiple local sources, three children died when the remains of a cluster bomb – allegedly earlier dropped by Russia – exploded in the town of Taqad. However, the Syrian Network for Human Rights, which also said three children died, blamed the regime for originally dropping the cluster bomb. Alarab News reported that “a…

Summary

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

Incident Date

6 May 2016

Incident Code

RS0796

Location

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria
Local sources reported that five civilians were killed in alleged Russian raids on a park in Al Bab. According Al Jisr TV, Russian warplanes killed five civilians in Al Bab. Qasioun and Nasaem News also blamed Russia. Other sources did not identify who was responsible. Baladi News also reported the incident and said that “warplanes and…

Summary

Published
6 May 2016
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

3 May 2016

Incident Code

RS0793

Location

ياقد العدس, Yaqid al Adas, Aleppo, Syria
The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that three civilians from the same family including one woman and one child died in “suspected” Russian shelling on Yaqid al Adas. Multiple other sources also reported that a man and his wife were killed. Some said that the child was seriously injured, others put the death toll at three:…

Summary

Published
3 May 2016
Civilians reported killed
3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

3 May 2016

Incident Code

RS0795

Location

حي البلليرمون, Al Baleirmoon neighbourhood (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Local sources reported that up to six people, including two women and two children, had died in shelling on Al Baleirmoon neighbourhood. Reports are conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime was responsible. Egypt News said that “a man, a woman and her daughter were killed due to warplane shelling in Al Baleirmoon.” Multiple…

Summary

Published
3 May 2016
Civilians reported killed
2–6
Civilians reported injured
6–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

3 May 2016

Incident Code

RS0794

Location

حريتان, Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria
Two civilians died and between eight and ten were injured in airstrikes on Hraytan, according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. Activists told Shaam News Network that Russian warplanes targeted the city centre with vacuum missiles, killing two civilians and…

Summary

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

Incident Date

2 May 2016

Incident Codes

CS207 RS0792

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Between six and 21 civilians died and up to 50 were injured in multiple night time airstrikes on the city of Raqqa, according to local sources. While most reports alleged that Russia was responsible, others did not identify the aircraft, while one blamed the Assad regime and another said that the Coalition might have carried…

Summary

Published
2 May 2016
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
6–21
Civilians reported injured
20–50
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident