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

9 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1424

Location

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria
Local media reported that an alleged Russian airstrike on the suburb Douma in Damascus wounded several civilians, though there were no claims of fatalities. According to the Shaam News Network, “Russian warplanes raids in both eastern and western Ghouta caused fires but no reports of civilian casualties. Activists said there were two raids in the…

Summary

Published
9 October 2016
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

9 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1425

Location

الظاهرية, Al Zhahiria, Idlib, Syria
Three children died in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on al-Zhahiria village, according to local media. According to LCCSY, "three children were martyred as Russian warplanes carried out thermobaric missile attacks on #Zhahiria village in the western suburb”. This claim was repeated by many other sources. There was no information available on the identity…

Summary

Published
9 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

9 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1426

Location

الغسانية, Al Ghassania, Idlib, Syria
Local sources reported that aerial shelling in al-Ghassania, outside Idlib, killed one woman and injured 15 more civilians. While most sources attributed this civilian casualty event to Russia, there were also allegations against the Syrian regime. According to The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “warplanes shelled  Al-Ghassania village in Idlib and killed a woman and…

Summary

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

Incident Date

9 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1423

Location

حي الصالحين, Salheen (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Three men died in an airstrike on the al-Salheen neighbourhood in Aleppo, according to sources on the ground. The majority of sources attributed the event to the Assad regime, though there was one allegation against Russia. LCCSY reported that “three civilians were martyred and others were seriously injured due to Russian airstrikes with cluster bombs…

Summary

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

Incident Date

8 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1422

Location

البلاط, al Balat, Aleppo, Syria
According to local media, the neighbourhood al-Balat in Aleppo was hit by air and/or artillery strikes which led to the death of one child and the injury of several more people, including the child’s father. Sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime, although the majority of…

Summary

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

Incident Date

8 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1419

Location

Rasim al Eis, Aleppo, Syria
Up to two civilians were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on  Rasum al Eis village in Aleppo, according local media. The strikes also reportedly wounded a number of people, including children. Most sources put the death toll at one. For example Halab Today said that “one person was martyred and three children were wounded…

Summary

Published
8 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident