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
Order results by:
Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

5 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1413

Location

Douma, Damascus, Syria
دوما
Five civilians including a woman and a child died in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes on Douma, according to sources on the ground. A further 20 non-combatants were claimed wounded. Syria News Desk reported: “five civilians: a child, a disabled man, an old man, a woman and a young man children and disabled and elderly…

Summary

Published
5 October 2016
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Incident Date

5 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1410

Location

al Shifonia, Damascus, Syria
الشفونية
One civilian died and others were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on the area between Douma and al Shifonia in eastern Ghouta, according to sources on the ground. SRV News reported that  “one person was killed and others injured following Russian air raids on the area between Douma and al Shifonia in eastern Ghouta”. According…

Summary

Published
5 October 2016
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Incident Date

4 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1404

Location

Darat Izza, Aleppo, Syria
دارة عزة
Two civilians including a child died and 20 more were wounded in an alleged Russia or regime airstrike on Darat Izza, according to local media. According to All4Syria, “Russian warplanes carried out three raids, two with missiles and one with cluster bombs, targeting civilians' houses. Two people were killed and more wounded. Shops and houses were…

Summary

Published
4 October 2016
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Incident Date

4 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1401

Location

Anadan, Aleppo, Syria
عندان
According to local sources air and artillery strikes hit the city Anadan north of Aleppo, killing one or two civilians. According to Nabd Syria, “two people were killed and others wounded in Anadan due to regime warplanes and artillery shelling”. One source, Muslm, attributed the strikes to both the Assad regime and Russia, while Jsirtv…

Summary

Published
4 October 2016
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Incident Date

4 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1405

Location

Hallak, Aleppo, Syria
الهلّك
Between one and four civilians died in an incident in Hallak, Aleppo, according to local media - though it was unclear whether they were killed by Russian or regime strikes or by a sniper.  According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, “at least 4 civilians including a woman were killed by suspected Russian warplanes…

Summary

Published
4 October 2016
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Incident Date

4 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1406

Location

Karam Houmad, Aleppo, Syria
كرم حومد
Up to four civilians including a child died and several more were wounded in air or artillery strikes on Aleppo's Karam Houmad, according to local media - though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the regime. According to Zaman al-Wasl, “four civilians were killed and others wounded due to…

Summary

Published
4 October 2016
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