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

12 December 2016

Incident Code

RS1790

Location

كفر يحمول, Kafr Yahmoul, Idlib, Syria
As many as two civilians were killed, and three others were wounded, in an airstrike which struck Kafr Yahmoul, Idlib, local media reported. Most sources blamed Russian warplanes for the alleged raid, with some others not attributing any blame for the airstrikes, and simply reporting on warplane bombing.  According to some sources, the victim was…

Summary

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

Incident Date

11 December 2016

Incident Code

RS1784

Location

Sarqib, Idlib, Syria
A girl was seriously wounded in an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Sarqib, Aleppo. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, some attributing responsibility to Russia and others the Syrian regime. According to a source the girl was trapped under the rubble for eight hours. She died of her wounds on the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

11 December 2016

Incident Code

RS1785

Location

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Damascus, Syria
Up to six civilians, including two children, were killed and as many as 24 more were wounded following air or artillery or mortar strikes targeting Douma, Damascus, local sources reported. Sources, however, were unclear as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime carried out the strikes. Sources reported the death of between one and six…

Summary

Published
11 December 2016
Civilians reported killed
1–6
Civilians reported injured
20–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

11 December 2016

Incident Code

RS1783

Location

قرية عرفة, Arafeih, Hama, Syria
At least one child was killed and another child was injured from the explosion of a cluster bomb that was left behind by alleged Russian airstrikes a few months prior in the village of Arafeih in eastern Hama, according to local media. The child killed from the cluster bomb was a 12-year-old boy; his brother…

Summary

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

Incident Date

10 December 2016

Incident Code

RS1781

Location

جسر الحج, Jisr al-Haj, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Between one and four civilians were killed and several more were wounded by air or artillery strikes, carried out by either Russia or the Syrian regime, on Jisr Al Haj, Aleppo, local sources reported. Most sources reported the death of one man, while others merely referred to "several" victims. Halab News gave the highest death…

Summary

Published
10 December 2016
Civilians reported killed
1–4
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

10 December 2016

Incident Code

RS1782

Location

بِنِّش, Binnish, Idlib, Syria
In this major event, local sources reported that alleged Russian airstrikes killed between zero and 15 civilians, including three children, and wounded up to 24, as they struck the city of Binnish, Idlib. While Qasioun News said that there were no reports of casualties, the remaining sources reported up to 15 fatalities, including children. Eight…

Summary

Published
10 December 2016
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
8–15
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident