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

10 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1566

Location

رسم العيس, Rasim al Eis, Aleppo, Syria
One unidentified woman was killed and dozens more civilians wounded in an airstrike on Rasim al Eis, according to sources on the ground. Most sources reported that Russian warplanes were responsible, however, Sky News was alone in blaming Syrian regime warplanes for the airstrike. One source suggested that only two people were injured in the airstrike,…

Summary

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

Incident Date

10 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1562

Location

دارة عزة, Darat Izza, Aleppo, Syria
One civilian was killed and many others wounded in an airstrike which struck Darat Izza at approximately 6.00pm, according to local media. Sources were conflicted as to who was responsible for the raids, with some apportioning blame to Russian warplanes and others to the Syrian regime. One source reported the use of phosphorous bombs during…

Summary

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

Incident Date

10 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1567

Location

نصيب, Nasib, Daraa, Syria
An entire displaced family of 10 civilians were killed and dozens more wounded when three airstrikes struck temporary homes on the Nasib boarder crossing in the village of Darcaa, sources on the ground reported. Reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. According to sources, including one…

Summary

Published
10 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
10
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

9 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1556

Location

كفر ناها, Kaf Naha, Aleppo, Syria
At least three civilians, including a woman and child, were killed and others were injured in airstrikes launched against the town of Kafr Naha, Aleppo. According to the majority of local sources, Russia was to blame. However, a single source, the Smart News Agency, attributed blame to Syrian regime planes. According to @HalabNewsN, the missiles launched…

Summary

Published
9 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

9 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1558

Location

مشمشان, Mashmashan, Idlib, Syria
Ten named civilians, including five children and two women, were killed in addition to "dozens" of injuries which included a child, in alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes that struck a residential area of Mashmashan village in Jabal al-Wasatani. The initial death toll was as high as eight civilians, however, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights…

Summary

Published
9 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
6–10
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

9 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1557

Location

منطقة شاميكو, Shamico area, Aleppo, Syria
At least three civilians, including a mother, her child and a young man, were killed and several more were wounded in airstrikes launched against the Shamico area in west Aleppo. The majority of sources did not identify who was responsible for the airstrike. However, Halab News blamed Russian warplanes for the airstrikes and Vedeng News…

Summary

Published
9 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident