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

20 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1497

Location

al Sheikh Mustapha, Idlib, Syria
One civilian died and several more were wounded in an airstrike on Al Sheikh Mustapha, local media reported – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. According to the Syrian Observatory of Human Rights on October 22nd, “the number of civilians who were killed by Russian airstrikes in the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

20 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1488

Location

Maarat al Numan, Idlib, Syria
A member of the White Helmets died and five of his colleagues were wounded, along with “dozens more civilians” in a strike on the Civil Defence center in the city of Maarat al Numan, according to local media. Sources noted that the Civil Defence Center – “the most important center in the southern Idlib countryside”…

Summary

Published
20 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
5–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

20 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1489

Location

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria
Two children, a brother and a sister, died and up to dozens more civilians were injured in airstrikes on Douma, according to sources on the ground. The majority of sources reported that this was the work of the Syrian regime. One source, LCCSY, blamed Russian, reporting that the children died when cluster bombs were dropped…

Summary

Published
20 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
7–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

20 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1490

Location

‏التمانعه‬, al Tama, Idlib, Syria
Two children died when a cluster bomb exploded in Al Tama village, Idlib, local sources reported – though it was unclear which belligerent had dropped the bomb. According to LCCSY, two children, both aged 13, "were martyred and three other civilians wounded were reported when remnants of a cluster bomb dropped by Russian warplanes exploded…

Summary

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

Incident Date

20 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1491

Location

Abou Soussa village, Aleppo, Syria
Four civilians died and up to seven others were wounded in an airstrike on Abou Soussa village, according to local media – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. Multiple sources reported that the area was under ISIS control. The Smart News Agency blamed Russia and put the death…

Summary

Published
20 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
7
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

18 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1485

Location

Al Sabha, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between two and 10 civilians died and several more were wounded in airstrikes on Al Sabha town in Deir Ezzor, according to local media. The majority of sources blamed Russia for the event, though there was also an allegation against the Assad regime. The lowest death count was given as two by LCCSY, who blamed…

Summary

Published
18 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
2–10
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident