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

3 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1530

Location

الرستن, Ar-Rastan, Homs, Syria
Between seven and eight civilians, including as many as six children, were killed and more than 10 others were wounded in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on Al Rastan, according to local media. Local sources were conflicted in who was to blame for the airstrikes, with the majority of sources - including Eldorar,…

Summary

Published
3 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
6–8
Civilians reported injured
5–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

2 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1524

Location

معرة مصرين, Maarat Misrin, Idlib, Syria
Four civilians died and between four and ten were wounded after a series of three cluster missile attacks were carried out against the city of Maarat Misrin, according to local media. The majority of sources have assigned responsibility to Syrian regime planes but LCCSY and Syria Idlib Today alleged that Russian warplanes carried out the…

Summary

Published
2 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
4–10
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

2 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1525

Location

كفر ناها, Kafr Naha, Aleppo, Syria
Three civilians were killed and several more were wounded, including children, in airstrikes on Kafr Naha, according to local media - though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. Many sources did not attribute blame to any belligerent.  Syria News Desk quoted media opposition activist, Mohamed Nur, who…

Summary

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

Incident Date

2 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1526

Location

الأتارب, Al Atarib, Aleppo, Syria
Between one and four civilians, including a child, were killed and up to nine more were injured from two aerial bombings of the city of Al Atarib. The strikes reportedly struck a bakery, a hospital, and several civilian houses, causing damage extensive enough to shut the hospital down. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human…

Summary

Published
2 November 2016
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
1–4
Civilians reported injured
3–9
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

2 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1527

Location

أورم الكبرى, Urma al Kubra, Aleppo, Syria
Between two and three civilians, including one woman and one child, were killed and up to six others were wounded by airstrikes fired on Urma Al Kubra town. Russian warplanes were identified as responsible for the airstrikes by most local media sources, including Local Coordination Committees, @ShahbaPress and Syrian Network for Human Rights. However, Muslm…

Summary

Published
2 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
2–3
Civilians reported injured
2–6
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

2 November 2016

Incident Code

RS1521

Location

تقاد, Taqad, Aleppo, Syria
Between three and six civilians died after remnants of a cluster bomb allegedly dropped by Russian warplanes exploded in Taqad, according to local media. AMC, HNN and Spm-Syria were among sources blaming Russia. They put the death toll at three civilians. However, Al Souria reported that six civilians died. There are no other details at this…

Summary

Published
2 November 2016
Civilians reported killed
3–6
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident