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

4,338 – 6,384

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 4,843 separate alleged incidents.

1,145 – 1,394
children likely killed
632 – 766
women likely killed
6,544
likely injured
3,435
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
15,282 – 24,392
Locally reported civilian deaths from Russian Military actions in Syria.
4,843 seperate alleged incidents
Confirmed or Fair
4,338 – 6,384
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by Russian Military
1,344 seperate alleged incidents
Weak
727 – 848
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Weak.
457 seperate alleged incidents
Contested
10,113 – 17,043
Civilian deaths for which the reporting is assessed by Airwars as Contested.
3,027 seperate alleged incidents
Discounted
104 – 117
Civilian deaths were Discounted by Airwars after assessment.
15 seperate alleged incidents
4809 incidents
Order results by:
Incident Date Publication Date

Incident Date

15 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1467

Location

Termamin, Aleppo, Syria
ترمانين
Between nine and 11 civilians died and up to 25 more were wounded in alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes on Termamin town, according to local sources. The lowest death count was given by @NewsFlashNet at at least nine. RevoSpring said that 10 people died, while Halab News joined most sources in putting the figure…

Summary

Published
15 October 2016
View Incident

Incident Date

15 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1466

Location

Jazaria, Aleppo, Syria
جزرايا
Between five and 20 civilians including a child and two women died and up to 20 more were wounded in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on Jazaria village, according to sources on the ground. Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that “at least four civilians including one girl and two women died due to…

Summary

Published
15 October 2016
View Incident

Incident Date

15 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1465

Location

Karam al Tarab, Aleppo, Syria
Two or more civilians died and an unspecified number more were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Aleppo’s Karam al Tarab neighbourhood, according to sources on the ground, Only @Free_TV_SYRIA gave specific casualty figures of two killed – and blamed Russia. Other sources reported an unspecified number of deaths an injuries, mainly referring only…

Summary

Published
15 October 2016
View Incident

Incident Date

15 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1464

Location

Al Maysar, Aleppo, Syria
Six or seven civilians died 20 more were wounded, including women and children, in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Aleppo’s Al Mayysar neighbourhood, according to sources on the ground. Halab News listed six unidentified civilians as killed in a Russian strike. But Shahba Press put the death toll at seven. Alaraby reported…

Summary

Published
15 October 2016
View Incident

Incident Date

15 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1461

Location

Al Ghinto, Homs, Syria
One civilian, named as Jihad Saadallah Assaf, died and several more were injured in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on al Ghinto village, according to local media. Smart News Agency reported that “four civilians, including three women, were killed today [Oct 15th] by an aerial and artillery bombardment on the town of Talbessa…

Summary

Published
15 October 2016
View Incident

Incident Date

15 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1462

Location

Talbisah, Homs, Syria
Three women died in an alleged Russian or Assad regime air or artillery strike Talbissa, according to sources on the ground. Homs Media Centre added that 16 civilians were wounded in the incident. There are no other details available at this time.

Summary

Published
15 October 2016
View Incident