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

25 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1694

Location

حطلة, Hatla, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between four and seven civilians were killed and up to seven others were wounded, including women and children, in alleged Russian airstrikes against Hatla village in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights stated that at the time of reporting, many civilians were in critical condition and the death toll…

Summary

Published
25 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
4–7
Civilians reported injured
5–7
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

25 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1691

Location

ترمانين, Tarminin, Idlib, Syria
Between two and five civilians, including two children, were killed and at least 10 other civilians were injured in four airstrikes launched against the town of Tarminin in the northern countryside of Idlib. Both those that were killed and injured included patients and members of the medical staff at the hospital. According to multiple sources,…

Summary

Published
25 November 2016
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
2–5
Civilians reported injured
2–10
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

25 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1689

Location

تقاد, Taqad, western Aleppo counntryside, Aleppo, Syria
Between 12 and 50 civilians including women and children died and as many as dozens more were wounded in an airstrike on Taqad, Aleppo, according to sources on the ground. Multiple reports said that a mosque was struck and other civilian property damaged. The majority of sources attributed the event to Moscow, though there was one…

Summary

Published
25 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
12–50
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

25 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1687

Location

التليلات, Tlailat area, Aleppo southern countryside, Aleppo, Syria
Two adult male civilians died in an alleged Russian airstrike on the Tlailat area in Aleppo's southern countryside, according to the Violations Documentation Center. No further details are currently known.

Summary

Published
25 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

24 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1678

Location

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria
Multiple sources reported that up to three airstrikes struck the city of Douma in eastern Ghouta, Damascus, killing one woman and injuring up to another nine civilians. The female victim was identified by many sources. It was unclear whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible. Several sources said that the strikes hit residential areas, including…

Summary

Published
24 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2–9
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

24 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1679

Location

حرستا, Harasta, Damascus, Syria
Several civilians were reportedly killed and injured when up to four airstrikes struck  the town of Harasta, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, local media reported. LCCSY reported that "Russian warplanes launched four airstrikes with thermobaric missiles on the neighborhoods in #Harasta city in the Eastern Ghouta, which led to casualties among civilians and destruction of buildings."  LCCSY…

Summary

Published
24 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident