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

23 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1672

Location

كفر ناها, Kafr Naha, Aleppo, Syria
Between two and seven civilians were reportedly killed by airstrikes in the city of Kafr Naha, Aleppo. Several civilians were also reportedly wounded. Shahed_Alep reported that there were ",artyrs and wounded as a result of the targeting by warplanes of a popular market in the town of Kafrnaha in the western countryside of Aleppo." The…

Summary

Published
23 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
2–7
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

23 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1673

Location

‏خان شيخون‬, Khan Shikhoun, Idlib, Syria
Multiple sources reported that aerial bombardment in the city of Khan Sheikun, Idlib killed at least three civilians, including two to three children, and wounded up to seven more - though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. Sources including the Syrian Network for Human Rights,…

Summary

Published
23 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Civilians reported injured
2–7
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

23 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1674

Location

جاسم, Jassem, Daraa, Syria
Local sources reported about a major incident in the city of Jassem, Dara'a, that reportedly killed up to nine civilians, including children and women, and wounded between two and 20. Sources were conflicted as to whether the Russian military or the Syrian regime were responsible, and several sources described the incident as a "massacre". Local…

Summary

Published
23 November 2016
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
5–9
Civilians reported injured
2–20
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

23 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1676

Location

قرية مراط, Marat, Deir Ezzor, Syria
According to local sources, warplanes struck a house in Marat, Deir Ezzor, killing up to five civilians from the same family, including children and women as well as wounding up to 'dozens'. Several sources reported that the strikes struck residential buildings, calling the incident a "massacre". Reportedly, the strikes struck a home belonging to the…

Summary

Published
23 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
4–5
Civilians reported injured
7–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

23 November 2016

Incident Codes

RS1669

Location

مساكن هنانو, Masaken Hanano, Aleppo, Syria
Local sources reported that airstrikes struck the city of Masaken Hanano, Aleppo, and led to the death of two civilians and several injured. The strikes were reportedly  part of a widespread shelling of Aleppo. According to Sky News, "intensive raids targeted the neighbourhoods of the Masaken Hanano, Salah al-Din and Al Jazmati and Al Mashhad.…

Summary

Published
23 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

22 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1664

Location

بنش, Binnish, Idlib, Syria
Two adult males were killed, and several others were wounded - including one woman - in an aerial bombardment on Binnish. According to Arabic.rt, the shelling struck two groups of armed men in the morning of the 22nd. Sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible for the raids and…

Summary

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