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

5 December 2016

Incident Code

RS1743

Location

كفر ناها, Kafr Naha, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Between one and two men were killed - and several injured - in an alleged Russian aerial bombardment on Kafr Naha, Aleppo, local media reported. All sources blamed Russian warplanes for the alleged attack. According to Syria News Desk, the two men were police officers. Halab News, on the other hand, reported that the victim was…

Summary

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

Incident Date

5 December 2016

Incident Code

RS1747

Location

ريف حماة الشرقي, Eastern countryside of Hama, Hama, Syria
As many as two civilians were killed, with several "confirmed injured", in airstrikes on the Eastern countryside of Hama, according to local media. Only one source attributed blame to Russian warplanes, whereas the rest blamed the Syrian regime. According to Airwars researchers, all the sources apart from Smart News are allegedly Syrian regime propaganda. Additionally there…

Summary

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

Incident Date

5 December 2016

Incident Code

RS1744

Location

تفتناز, Taftanaz, Idlib, Syria
Local media reported that one or two civilians died in an alleged Russian airstrike with phosphorus and cluster bombs on Taftanaz. The Shaam News Network said that one civilian died, however, Shade2taftanaz reported the death of two women.

Summary

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

Incident Date

5 December 2016

Incident Code

RS1748

Location

الغنطو, Al Ghantu, Homs, Syria
In what was widely reported as a regime shelling, between five and eight civilians including four children died and dozens more were wounded in Al Ghantu. According to LCCSY, "five civilians were martyred and dozens injured in the bombing by Assad’s forces, using rockets and heavy artillery shells, on the town of Al-Ghantu the northern…

Summary

Published
5 December 2016
Civilians reported killed
5–8
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

5 December 2016

Incident Code

RS1745

Location

ام شرشوح, Umm Sharshouh, Homs, Syria
Two adult male civilians (named below) died in an alleged regime or Russian airstrike on Umm Sharshouh, according to source son the ground. Most reports blamed the regime - though multiple sources also noted that Russia had carried out strikes on both Umm Sharshouh and Al Ghantu (see event Rs1742). According to the Syrian Network…

Summary

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

Incident Date

4 December 2016

Incident Code

RS1736

Location

حي الشعاكفرنبل, Kafir Nabil, Idlib, Syria
Up to 26 civilians - 23 of whom were named - died and dozens more were wounded in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes on a popular market in Kafir Nabil, according to sources on the ground. Reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the regime. Aljazeera pointed…

Summary

Published
4 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
23–26
Civilians reported injured
12–36
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident