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

16 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1473

Location

Al Maysar, Aleppo, Syria
Seven civilians died in an airstrike on Aleppo’s Al Maysar neighbourhood, according to local media. Most sources blamed Russia, though one said that the Syrian regime was active in Aleppo’s skies on this day, meaning its involvement in this casualty event can’t be ruled out. Halab News listed seven unidentified civilians as killed in a…

Summary

Published
16 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
7
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

15 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1463

Location

اللطامنة, Ltamenah, Hama, Syria
Five or six civilians civilians including a 20-day-old girl and a boy aged six months died and dozens more were wounded in an airstrike and/or artillery strike on a medical centre in Al Latamna, according to sources on the ground. The majority of reports blamed Russia, though two pointed to the Assad regime. Victims reportedly…

Summary

Published
15 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
5–6
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

15 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1460

Location

كفرلاها, Hoola, Homs, Syria
According to the Smart News Agency, “the head of the Hula sector of the civil defence was injured on Saturday [Oct 15th] as a result of an airstrike by regime planes targeting the city of Hula in rural Homs.” According to Homs Media Centre, this raid struck a school. They published a video showing damage…

Summary

Published
15 October 2016
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

15 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1461

Location

Al Ghinto, Homs, Syria
One civilian, named as Jihad Saadallah Assaf, died and several more were injured in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on al Ghinto village, according to local media. Smart News Agency reported that “four civilians, including three women, were killed today [Oct 15th] by an aerial and artillery bombardment on the town of Talbessa…

Summary

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

Incident Date

15 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1462

Location

Talbisah, Homs, Syria
Three women died in an alleged Russian or Assad regime air or artillery strike Talbissa, according to sources on the ground. Homs Media Centre added that 16 civilians were wounded in the incident. There are no other details available at this time.

Summary

Published
15 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
16
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

15 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1464

Location

Al Maysar, Aleppo, Syria
Six or seven civilians died 20 more were wounded, including women and children, in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Aleppo’s Al Mayysar neighbourhood, according to sources on the ground. Halab News listed six unidentified civilians as killed in a Russian strike. But Shahba Press put the death toll at seven. Alaraby reported…

Summary

Published
15 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
6–7
Civilians reported injured
20
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident