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

14 December 2016

Incident Code

RS1791

Location

المشهد, Al Mashad, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Up to ten people were injured in an air and artillery strike which struck a residential neighbourhood in Al Mashed, Aleppo. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. One attributed blame to both Russia and Syrian regime artillery. The other two remained impartial. There were no specific numbers of killed reported, however, the Step…

Summary

Published
14 December 2016
Civilians reported killed
0–2
Civilians reported injured
10
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

14 December 2016

Incident Code

RS1792

Location

الزبدية, Al Zibdiya, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
An unspecified number of civilians were reported as killed and wounded following an alleged air and artillery strike in Al Zibdiya, Aleppo. Two sources blamed Russian warplanes, whereas all others remained impartial. Step News Agency reported "Russian warplanes targeted with cluster bombs and missiles the Aleppo neighbourhoods of Al Zabadia, al Mashad, Salahudin, al Sukkari,…

Summary

Published
14 December 2016
Civilians reported killed
0–2
Civilians reported injured
0–2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12 December 2016

Incident Code

RS1787

Location

داعل, Dael, Daraa, Syria
An adult male died on the 16th of December 2016, due to wounds sustained on the 12th in an alleged Russian bombing of Dael. One source blames Russian warplanes and the others do not identify the aircraft. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

Published
12 December 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12 December 2016

Incident Codes

CS414 RS1788

Location

الرقة‎, al Dalla roundabout, Raqqa, Syria
A heavy air raid on Ar Raqqah left up to 36 civilians dead according to multiple reports. While most blamed Russia, there were some claims that the US-led Coalition was responsible. It has since denied involvement. According to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered, the afternoon raids were concentrated mainly near the city’s al Dalla roundabout. Euphrates…

Summary

Published
12 December 2016
Civilians reported killed
18–36
Civilians reported injured
12–60
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

12 December 2016

Incident Code

RS1786

Location

تدمر, Palmyra , Homs, Syria
Up to five civilians were reportedly killed in shelling on Palmyra, according to local media. The source, Al Natek, reported that there was "heavy shelling targeting the city of Douma by Russian aviation". A later report from the same source stated that an "Al Jazeera correspondent reported that five were dead and a number wounded…

Summary

Published
12 December 2016
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12 December 2016

Incident Code

RS1789

Location

عقيربات, Akeirbat, Hama, Syria
In a major civilian casualty incident widely reported as a sarin gas attack, between 20 and 102 civilians, including women and between five and 28 children, were killed and between 100 to 500 civilians were injured in airstrikes against the village of Akeirbat in the eastern suburb of Hama, according to local media. Sources were…

Summary

Published
12 December 2016
Civilians reported killed
20–102
Civilians reported injured
100–500
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident