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

17 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1618

Location

بيت سوا, Beit Sawa, Eastern Ghouta, Damascus, Syria
Up to two civilians were killed in an airstrike on Beit Sawa, Eastern Ghouta, according to multiple sources. It remains unclear who was responsible for the raid, with conflicting reports. Some claimed the regime were responsible, others that Russian warplanes struck the area, and some could not positively attribute responsibility. One man killed was named…

Summary

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

Incident Date

17 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1616

Location

الصالحين, Al Salheen, Aleppo, Syria
Between three and four civilians died, and two children were wounded, in airstrikes on Al Saheen, Aleppo - though it was unclear whether the Syrian regime or Russian forces were responsible for the event. Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed the regime, tweeting that two children were wounded "as a result of the bombing of…

Summary

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

Incident Date

17 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1619

Location

كفربطنا, Kafr Batna, Eastern Ghouta, Damascus, Syria
A number of civilians were killed and wounded in an airstrike on Kafr Batna, Eastern Ghouta, according to local media - though reports were conflicted as to which belligerent was responsible for the event. Similar to most other sources reporting on this event, @kafrbatna2011 did not identify the warplanes responsible, they did however report that…

Summary

Published
17 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
4–13
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1602

Location

بلدة العيس, Al Eis, Aleppo, Syria
One civilian died in a suspected Russian airstrike on Al Eis town in Aleppo, according to one source. The civilian was named in a list of victims by Halab News Network. There is currently no further information.

Summary

Published
17 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1620

Location

سقبا, Saqba, Eastern Ghouta, Damascus, Syria
Likely four, but up to 13 civilians were killed in airstrikes on Saqba, Eastern Ghouta, according to local media. It remains unclear who was responsible for the raid, with conflicting reports. Some sources claimed that Russian warplanes were responsible, others attributed responsibility to the regime and some could not positively identify warplanes. Most sources put…

Summary

Published
17 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
4–13
Civilians reported injured
2–10
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

16 November 2016

Incident Codes

RS1597

Location

حي السكري, Sukkari (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Eleven civilians reportedly died in Al Sukkari, Aleppo, following a suspected Russian attack, however most sources reported only six killed. Numerous sources, including, Aleppo24 said that of those six four were children.  Sdusyria listed various neighbourhoods of Aleppo struck by "Assad forces" and a "Russian airliner" - it counted 11 dead in Al Sukkari. Annahar blamed…

Summary

Published
16 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
6–11
Civilians reported injured
6–40
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident