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

30 December 2016

Incident Code

RS1810

Location

تادف, Tedef, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Between nine and 12 civilians - the majority from one family - were killed and up to 24 were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on Tefef, Aleppo, according to source son the ground. Graphic images published showed four child victims. According to one source nine civilians came from the same family. Dawaalhaq reported: "in support…

Summary

Published
30 December 2016
Civilians reported killed
9–12
Civilians reported injured
3–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

29 December 2016

Incident Code

RS1808

Location

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria
As many as 15 civilians were killed - including six children, two women and four adult males - and dozens were wounded, in alleged air and artillery strikes on Douma. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. Some sources attributed blame to Russian warplanes, while others blamed the Syrian regime. Reportedly, the raids struck…

Summary

Published
29 December 2016
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
12–15
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

29 December 2016

Incident Code

RS1809

Location

حرستا, Harasta, Damascus, Syria
Three civilians were killed - including a man and a woman and a child - and many more were wounded, in alleged air and artillery strikes on Harasta. All sources blamed the Syrian regime for the raids, except LCCSY who blamed Russian warplanes.  According to sources, the artillery and air bombardment targeted a school and residential…

Summary

Published
29 December 2016
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
1–3
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

29 December 2016

Incident Code

RS1807

Location

عربين, Arbeen, Damascus, Syria
As many as four civilians were killed - including three children and one woman reportedly from the same family - and up to 19 were wounded in an airstrike on a primary school in Arbeen, local media said. Three belligerents were reportedly sighted, meaning there is confusion among sources as to who is responsible. Two…

Summary

Published
29 December 2016
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
2–19
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

29 December 2016

Incident Code

RS1806

Location

جسر الشغور, Jisr Al Shoghour, Idlib, Syria
One adult male was killed, and two or more were injured, in alleged Russian airstrikes which struck the residential neighbourhood of Jisr Al Shoghour. All sources attributed blame to Russian aviation, which it is reported to have carried out four raids on the vicinity. According to one source the attack consisted of three cluster bombs raids,…

Summary

Published
29 December 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

28 December 2016

Incident Code

RS1801

Location

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria
One or two civilians, including a man, were killed, and others were injured, including children, in alleged Russian and Syrian regime raids on Douma. Sources are conflicted as to who was responsible, with some blaming Syrian regime and others Russia.  According to one source, three missiles were launched on Douma. A different source claims there were…

Summary

Published
27 December 2016
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident