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

1 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1212

Location

Al Ghia, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between three and 16 civilians died and up to 20 were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on Al-Giah, according to local media. Halabnews, Islammemo_cc, Wesal_TV, Alnateq1, Zaman Masdar, Alnaba, Eldorar and HNN all attributed the event to Russia, putting the death toll at either 15 or 16 civilians. Euphrates Post, also blaming Russia, said that…

Summary

Published
1 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
3–16
Civilians reported injured
20
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

1 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1213

Location

Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria
Two possible civilians died in airstrikes on Hraytan, according to local media, though it was unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible for the deaths. Halabtoday, Syr_Rev_News and Alamawi, the Violations Documentation Center and HNN blamed Russia. Smart added that eight non-combatants were also wounded. However, according to Alaraby the regime was to…

Summary

Published
1 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
0–2
Civilians reported injured
8
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

1 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1214

Location

Zafarana, Homs, Syria
Up to four civilians including a child and one woman died in airstrikes on Zafarana, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible for the attacks. The majority of sources, including Yaarabaladeli9, Step News Agency, Alghad Alsoury, and NabdSyria, blamed Russia. Baladi, also blaming…

Summary

Published
1 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
2–4
Civilians reported injured
5–6
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

1 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1209

Location

Maysar, Aleppo, Syria
Three or four civilians died in an airstrike or artillery shelling of Maysar, according to sources on the ground. All but one source blamed regime artillery for the event. LCCSY reported one civilian died and others were wounded in Russian airstrikes.

Summary

Published
1 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

1 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1215

Location

Souran, Hama, Syria
Up to 30 civilians including 11 children died in airstrikies on Souran, Al-Lataminah, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime. According to Roiraqro and Wesal_TV 10 people from the same family died when their car was hit by a strike.…

Summary

Published
1 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
7–30
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

1 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1216

Location

Mouhimidah, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between seven and 10 civilians including five children died in airstrikes on Muhimidah in Deir Ezzor, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. The majority of sources, including Alamawi, Mohamaed202054, Alsharqia24 and Euphrates Post, blamed Russia, with death counts varying between seven…

Summary

Published
1 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
7–10
Civilians reported injured
10–20
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident