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

21 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1655

Location

ادلب, Idlib City, Idlib, Syria
Between one and two civilians, including one child and one woman, were killed and others were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes against Idlib City, according to sources on the ground. Local sources, including the Syrian Network for Human Rights and Aljazeera, alleged that Russian planes were responsible for the airstrikes. According to Local Coordination Committee…

Summary

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

Incident Date

21 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1661

Location

ابو الظهور, Abu Al Zuhur, Idlib, Syria
Four civilians were killed - including one child - and several others injured in airstrikes which struck a market place in Abu Al Zuhur - though sources were conflicted as to who was responsible, with some reports blaming Russian warplanes and others blaming the Syrian regime for the raid. Sdu Syria reported that rocket propelled…

Summary

Published
21 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
1–4
Civilians reported injured
2–3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

21 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1662

Location

حرستا, Harasta, Damascus, Syria
As many as five civilians were reportedly killed - including up to three children - in alleged artillery and airstrikes "from the surrounding mountains" which struck Harasta. Both women and children were reportedly among the "dozens wounded" in the raid. Some sources such as LCCSY have blamed Russian warplanes the for alleged bombing, however other…

Summary

Published
21 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
2–5
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

21 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1657

Location

الفردوس, Al Fardous, Aleppo, Syria
Between three and four civilians were killed and at least 10 others were wounded in air or artillery strikes on Aleppo's Al Fardous neighbourhood, although local sources were conflicted as to whether Russian or regime planes were responsible. According to sources such as @ShahbaPress and @AleppoAMC, explosive barrel bombs were dropped in the attack. The…

Summary

Published
21 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Civilians reported injured
10
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

21 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1663

Location

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria
Two girls were killed and dozens of other civilians were wounded in shelling and airstrikes which struck the residential neighbourhood of Douma, local media said. According to Smart News, some members of the regimes forces were also killed in the airstrikes.  Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame for the alleged raid, with…

Summary

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

Incident Date

21 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1656

Location

الطوب, Al Toub, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One child was killed and as many as 15 other civilians were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on a clinic in Al Toub, according to sources on the ground. All sources either named Russian warplanes as a belligerent or ddin't identify the culprit. @EuphratesPost claimed that 15 or more were wounded, whereas Smart News reported…

Summary

Published
21 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2–15
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident