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

9 January 2017

Incident Code

RS1816

Location

تدمر‎, Palmyra , Homs, Syria
Civilians were killed and wounded following an alleged Russian airstrike on Palmyra. All sources blamed Russian warplanes for the strikes.  Although no sources reported on a specific number of casualties, most sources reported that there were killed and wounded civilians at the scene. Reportedly, a car of displaced civilians fleeing their town as a result…

Summary

Published
9 January 2017
Civilians reported killed
0–2
Civilians reported injured
0–2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

8 January 2017

Incident Code

RS1815

Location

الحابوسة, Al Haboussah, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
One civilian was killed in an alleged aerial bombardment of Al Haboussah, Aleppo. Sources either blamed Russian warplanes for the raid, or did not attribute any blame.  Despite the Violations Documentation Centre listing the victim as an adult male, an image of a child was published alongside a Facebook status, naming the victim. We are therefore…

Summary

Published
8 January 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

7 January 2017

Incident Code

RS1814

Location

رسم العبد, Hama, Hama, Syria
It was reported by a single source that one adult male died following alleged Russian shelling. It does not specifically say where he was killed, however, it does report that he was from in Rasem al Abd in Hama. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

Published
7 January 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

3 January 2017

Incident Code

RS1813

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria
As many as three civilians were killed, inducing a pregnant woman and her unborn child, and up to three civilians were wounded, following an alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime airstrike on Khan Sheikhoun, local media reported.  Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame with some attributing blame to Russian warplanes, while others blamed…

Summary

Published
3 January 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1–3
Civilians reported injured
3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Syrian Regime, Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

1 January 2017

Incident Codes

TS037 RS1812

Location

تادف, Tadef, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Between one and 11 civilians were reported killed in alleged air and artillery shelling on Tedef. Sources are conflicted as to who was to blame. According to Syrianewsdesk however, "the shelling on Tadef killed eight people, including five civilians and others belonging to the organisation (Turkish armed forces)". Between six and ten civilians were wounded in…

Summary

Published
1 January 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–11
Civilians reported injured
6–10
Military Actor
Russian Military, Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

31 December 2016

Incident Code

RS1811

Location

الأتارب, Al Atarib, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
One source reported that 109 civilians were killed by Russian or Syrian regime warplanes in Al Atarib, Aleppo. One other source reported that there was shelling due to Syrian regime warplanes which wounded civilians and destroyed building. There are no other sources at this time.

Summary

Published
31 December 2016
Civilians reported killed
0–109
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident