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

24 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1508

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Shaykhun, Idlib, Syria
Between six and eight civilians including a child and two women died and as many as dozens more were wounded in multiple airstrikes on Khan Sheikhoun, according to local media. Sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. The lowest death count was given as one by Halab Today…

Summary

Published
24 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
6–8
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

24 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1509

Location

Al Hamidiya, Deir Ezzor, Syria
At least one civilian died and up to four more were wounded in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on the al Hamidiya neighborhood in the city of Deir Ezzor, according to sources on the ground. Most sources didn’t specify the number of victims, referring only to “martyrs” and “civilian casualties”. But Euphrates Post…

Summary

Published
24 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2–4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

24 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1510

Location

أورم الكبرى, Urma al Kubra, Aleppo, Syria
Three or four civilians including two girls and one woman died and as many as dozens more were injured in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on Urma al Kubra, according to local media. The White Helmets gave the lowest death count of four civilians. But all other sources put the number at four,…

Summary

Published
24 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Civilians reported injured
8–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

24 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1507

Location

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria
Between four and 10 civilians including one child and one woman died and as any as 30 more were wounded in air and/or artillery strikes on Douma, according to local media – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame for the deaths, with sources reporting that both parties carried…

Summary

Published
24 October 2016
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
4–10
Civilians reported injured
12–30
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

23 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1504

Location

مَعَرَّة النُّعْمَان, Maarat al Numan, Idlib, Syria
Two civilians – a father and his son or daughter – died and an unspecified number more were wounded in an airstrike on Maarat al Numan – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that “two victims (a child and…

Summary

Published
23 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
2–3
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

23 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1503

Location

Al Teeba, Homs, Syria
One girl died and several more civilians were wounded in Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the Al Teeba area in Homs, according to sources on the ground. According to the Syrian Press Center ,"Russian air strikes on Sunday [Oct 23rd] targeted a camp for the displaced in the area of Taybeh in rural northern…

Summary

Published
23 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident