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
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Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

12 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1437

Location

Jobar, Damascus, Syria
جوبر‎
Between two and three civilians were reported killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime air or artillery strikes on the Jobar neighbourhood of Damascus. Syrian Press Center, Alaraby and SDUsyria put the death toll at two, but RadioAlKul, Dorar and HNN said that three civilians were killed. The Shaam News Network and Tahrir_Alsham also reported…

Summary

Published
12 October 2016
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Incident Date

12 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1444

Location

Douma, Damascus, Syria
دوما
Three civilians including a woman and her baby or foetus were reportedly killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime air and/or artillery strikes on Douma. RadioAlKul wrote: “More than 25 warplane raids in Douma in addition to extensive artillery shelling which killed two and wounded more than 30.” Bof-sy reported the lowest death count saying…

Summary

Published
12 October 2016
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Incident Date

12 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1438

Location

Kafr Laha, Homs, Syria
كفرلاها
Five or six civilians were reported killed in air and artillery strikes on Kafr Laha, according to sources on the ground. All but one source blamed the regime for this incident, though the Shaam News Network said that “Russian and Assad warplanes” launched strikes on areas of Homs including Kafr Laha. Al Jazeera put the…

Summary

Published
12 October 2016
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Incident Date

12 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1445

Location

Talbisah, Homs, Syria
تلبيسة
Between one and five civilians were reported killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime air or artillery strikes on Talbissa. Smart News wrote that “one civilian was killed and 10 were wounded due to regime warplanes and artillery shelling in Talbisa.” Almarsad Alsori Almowahad named a male victim on Twitter and posted a picture of…

Summary

Published
12 October 2016
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Incident Date

12 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1446

Location

Jarjanaz, Idlib, Syria
جرجناز
Three civilians, a mother and her two children, were reported killed in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on Jarjanaz. Shahba reported: “Two children were killed with their mom in a Russian warplanes shelling in Jarjanaz and others wounded.” Halab Today TV published a similar report. All of the other sources reported that a…

Summary

Published
12 October 2016
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Incident Date

12 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1439

Location

Al Maysar, Aleppo, Syria
Two civilians died and several more were wounded in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on Aleppo’s al Mayssar neighbourhood, local media reported. According to the Shaam News Network on October 12th, “Russian and Assad aircraft did not stop from flying in the skies of Aleppo and its countryside and launched dozens of air…

Summary

Published
12 October 2016
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