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

12 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1441

Location

الأنصاري, Al Ansari (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Five civilians died and several others were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Aleppo’s Ansari neighbourhood, according to local media. Radio Alkul, Shahba and Sadatawheed put the death toll at five with others wounded and blamed Russia. Halab News listed “five unidentified civilians killed, following Russian enemy raids on al Ansari neighbourhood”.

Summary

Published
12 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1442

Location

حي خان العسل, Khan Al Assal (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
One civilian, died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Khan al A’ssal, according to local media. The victim was named by the Violations Documentation Center and Halab News, both of which blamed Russia for his death. There are no other details available at this time.

Summary

Published
12 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1443

Location

كفر ناها, Kafr Naha, Aleppo, Syria
Five civilians died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Kafr Naha, according to local media. SRG_Syria tweeted that there were “five martyrs and many wounded due to Russian warplanes raids in Kafr Naha in Aleppo.” Al Jazeera, Syria Press and Syria News Dersk also put the death toll at five, while Halab News listed five…

Summary

Published
12 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1437

Location

جوبر‎, Jobar, Damascus, Syria
Between two and three civilians were reported killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime air or artillery strikes on the Jobar neighbourhood of Damascus. Syrian Press Center, Alaraby and SDUsyria put the death toll at two, but RadioAlKul, Dorar and HNN said that three civilians were killed. The Shaam News Network and Tahrir_Alsham also reported…

Summary

Published
12 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
2–3
Civilians reported injured
2–5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1444

Location

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria
Three civilians including a woman and her baby or foetus were reportedly killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime air and/or artillery strikes on Douma. RadioAlKul wrote: “More than 25 warplane raids in Douma in addition to extensive artillery shelling which killed two and wounded more than 30.” Bof-sy reported the lowest death count saying…

Summary

Published
12 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
10–30
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1438

Location

كفرلاها, Kafr Laha, Homs, Syria
Five or six civilians were reported killed in air and artillery strikes on Kafr Laha, according to sources on the ground. All but one source blamed the regime for this incident, though the Shaam News Network said that “Russian and Assad warplanes” launched strikes on areas of Homs including Kafr Laha. Al Jazeera put the…

Summary

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