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

9 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1559

Location

الجانودية, Al Janoudia, Idlib, Syria
Between one to three civilians were killed and at least three others were injured in airstrikes launched against the town of Al Janoudia in western Jisr Al Shoughour. According to local sources, including Step News Agency and @SMARTNewsAgency, Russian warplanes were responsible for the series of airstrikes on the town. An image of the alleged…

Summary

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

Incident Date

9 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1560

Location

حريتان, Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria
Between five and 14 civilians died and  others were injured in airstrikes on the town of Hraytan in Aleppo. While the majority of local sources attributed the airstrikes to Syrian regime forces, the Local Coordination Committees in Syria identified both Russian and the Syrian regime warplanes as launching airstrikes in Aleppo. According to LCCSY, 14…

Summary

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

Incident Date

9 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1554

Location

الزربة, Az Zarbah, Aleppo, Syria
At least two civilians, including one child and one woman, died in airstrikes on Az Zarbah town in Aleppo, according to sources on the ground. There were no reports of injured civilians. According to Syrian Network for Human Rights, the airstrikes were launched from Russian warplanes. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

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

Incident Date

9 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1561

Location

أورم الكبرى, Urma al Kubra, Aleppo, Syria
At least two civilians were killed, and several more wounded, in alleged Russian airstrikes which struck Urma al Kubra, Aleppo. Most sources attributed the blame to Russian warplanes, others did not identify who was responsible.  The majority of sources said that cluster bombs were used during the raid, with @shahed_alep reporting the sighting of rocket propelled…

Summary

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

Incident Date

9 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1555

Location

بشنطرة, Bashantra, Aleppo, Syria
At least three civilians were killed and up to nine others injured in airstrikes that struck the town of Bashantra in Aleppo. Sources were conflicted as to who was responsible - some blaming Russia and others blaming the Syrian regime.  According to most sources, missiles carrying cluster bombs were used. Vedeng News specified that four raids…

Summary

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

Incident Date

8 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1547

Location

حزرما, Hazrama, Damascus, Syria
At least two children were killed and others were wounded in multiple airstrikes launched against the town of Hazrama in Eastern Ghouta, according to local media. A graphic image of two dead children in body bags was published by the Syrian Network for Human Rights. Reports were conflicted over who was responsible for the airstrikes.…

Summary

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