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

28 December 2016

Incident Code

RS1802

Location

بسيمة, Basima, Damascus, Syria
One civilian was killed and "dozens" more were wounded - including a member of the Syrian Civil Defence - in air and artillery strikes on Basima, local media reported. All sources blamed the Syrian regime for the alleged raids, except LCCSY and Syrian Press Center who attributed them to Russian warplanes. Only one source - Skynewsarabia- reported…

Summary

Published
28 December 2016
Civilians reported killed
0–1
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

28 December 2016

Incident Code

RS1803

Location

عين الفيجة, Ain Fijeh, Damascus, Syria
One or two civilians were killed, and a minimum of 10 were wounded, in raids on Ain Fijeh. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame the raids, with most blaming the Syrian regime, and some attributing blame to Russia. Only two sources mentioned the death of a civilian in Ain Fijeh. One source -…

Summary

Published
28 December 2016
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
10–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

28 December 2016

Incident Code

RS1798

Location

عين الخضرا, Ain Al-Khadra, Damascus, Syria
Dozens of civilians were allegedly critically wounded in an airstrike  on Ain Al-Khadra. Sources are conflicted as to who was to blame. LCCSY blames Russian warplanes for the raids. The other three sources all blamed the Syrian regime, however, they are Syrian regime propagandist sources. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

Published
28 December 2016
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

28 December 2016

Incident Code

RS1804

Location

الحسينية, Husseineya, Damascus, Syria
Dozens of civilians were wounded - some critically - in an alleged airstrike on Husseineya. Sources are conflicted as to who was responsible for the raid, with some blaming the Syrian regime for the raid, and others attributing blame to Russia.  One report stated that helicopters with carrying explosive barrel bombs were launched in the villages…

Summary

Published
28 December 2016
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

28 December 2016

Incident Code

RS1805

Location

عقيربات, Okayrabat, Hama, Syria
Some civilians were wounded in alleged Russian raids which struck Okayrabat, Hama. All sources have attributed blame to Russia. There are no mentions of civilian deaths.  Reports suggested the use of machine guns and rockets.  There are no other details at this time.

Summary

Published
28 December 2016
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

28 December 2016

Incident Code

RS1799

Location

سرحا, Sarha, Hama, Syria
An unspecified number of civilians were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on Sarha, according to sources on the ground, There was no mention of civilian deaths. @abomohammad441, @HalabNewsN and LCCSY all pointed to Russia as the culprit.    

Summary

Published
28 December 2016
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident