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

20 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1647

Location

ادلب, Idlib, Idlib, Syria
Local sources reported that up to seven civilians, including up to two children, were killed and several were injured by alleged Russian airstrikes targeting a battery factory in Idlib. Several sources reported how warplanes struck a battery factory in Idlib, causing its complete destruction. Between one and seven civilians were reportedly killed, two of them identified…

Summary

Published
20 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
1–7
Civilians reported injured
2–4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

20 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1654

Location

عربين, Arbeen, Damascus, Syria
At least one civilian was killed - another source reported "martyrs" suggesting multiple - and between one and two were wounded following alleged air and artillery strikes on Arbeen. Sources are conflicted regrading who was to blame. Two sources blamed Syrian regime warplanes for the raids, and only one blamed Russia. Other sources remained impartial.…

Summary

Published
20 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
0–2
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

20 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1648

Location

سقبا, Saqba, Damascus, Syria
In a single source claim, three named adult males were killed due to Russian shelling on Saqba. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

Published
20 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

20 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1649

Location

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria
In a single source claim, five civilians were killed - including three brothers under the age of 18 and their mother, and a man - in an alleged Russian airstrike on Douma. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

Published
20 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

19 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1639

Location

حي الانصاري, Al-Ansari, Aleppo, Syria
Airstrikes targeting Aleppo's Al Ansari neighbourhood reportedly killed between five and seven civilians and wounded up to dozens, reported local media - though sources disagreed as to whether the strikes were carried out by Russia or the Syrian regime. None of the victims were identified by name, but most sources reported that the death toll…

Summary

Published
19 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
5–7
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

19 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1638

Location

الهللك, Huluk, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Local sources reported that Syrian or Russian airstrikes and artillery killed up to four civilians and injured several more in the al-Huluk neighbourhood, Aleppo. Sources reported that al-Huluk was among the many neighbourhoods in Aleppo which was subject to air raids and artillery shelling that day. The shelling reportedly killed between three and four civilians. While…

Summary

Published
19 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident