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

8 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1549

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Shaykhun, Idlib, Syria
Between nine and 11 civilians were killed, including between six to eight children and two pregnant women, and seven other civilians were injured, including three children and a woman, in airstrikes launched against the residential neighbourhood Khan Sheikhoun. Three of the named children were brothers from one family that, according to sources, had come to…

Summary

Published
8 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
9–11
Civilians reported injured
7
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

8 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1550

Location

معربو, Ma'arbo, Idlib, Syria
In a major civilian casualty incident, between ten and 18 civilians were killed, including 13 children, and up to 40 more people were injured by air and/or artillery strikes targeting the town of Ma’arbo in the southern countryside of Idlib, according to local media. Activist Ayman al-Hussein told ARA News that “at least ten civilians…

Summary

Published
8 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
10–18
Civilians reported injured
7–40
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

8 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1548

Location

ادلب, Idlib, Idlib, Syria
One civilian was killed by cluster and phosphorus bombs that struck the western edges of the city of Idlib, according to local media. Some outlets including Smart News published a statement saying that there were no official injuries, but the majority of sources reported at least one casualty. Both cluster bombs and phosphorus are internationally…

Summary

Published
8 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
0–12
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

8 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1551

Location

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria
Seven named civilians were killed and dozens more were wounded, including a child, by alleged Russian and Syrian regime airstrikes on Douma City in Eastern Ghouta. According to sources the city was one of many subjected to "heavy artillery shelling" and "aerial bombardment" that week. @syriahadath, specified the use of cluster bombs. One of those killed…

Summary

Published
8 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
7
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

8 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1552

Location

عربين, Arbin, Damascus, Syria
At least one civilian was killed and others were injured in airstrikes launched against the town of Arbin in Eastern Ghouta - though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. The series of three airstrikes launched against the residential areas were part of an escalated attack…

Summary

Published
8 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2–5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

8 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1553

Location

معرة مصرين, Maarat Misrin, Idlib, Syria
One woman died and several other civilians were wounded in an airstrike on Maarat Misrin, according to sources on the ground - though it was unclear whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible. Most sources attributed the civilian harm to Russia. However, Zamanalwasl was one of several sources that pointed to the regime, reporting that "in…

Summary

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