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

5 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1411

Location

باتبو, Batbo, Aleppo, Syria
Four civilians including one child and two women died and up to nine more were wounded in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on the city of Batbo in Aleppo, according to local media. Halab News Network reported that there had been “four martyrs including two women after Russian planes targeted Batbo, in the…

Summary

Published
5 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
2–9
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

5 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1409

Location

كفر ناها, Kafr Naha, Aleppo, Syria
Up to nine civilians, including six children and two women, died in what was described as a "massacre" at Shamico Farms in Kafr Naha near Aleppo. Sources blamed Russian warplanes for the deaths. The Twitter account AleppoAMC reported that the incident led to “eight martyrs, including six children". Violations Documentation Center Syria (VDC), Halab News…

Summary

Published
5 October 2016
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Agriculture (Agricultural Land)
Civilians reported killed
8–9
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

5 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1412

Location

الشيخ خضر, al Sheikh Kudar, Aleppo, Syria
Up to three civilians including two children and a woman died and several more people were wounded in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes on Shikh Khudur, according to local media. The location hit was Sheikh Fares, which is inside the Sheikh Khudar area. According to Thiqan News Agency, there were “two martyrs and a number of…

Summary

Published
5 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

5 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1413

Location

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria
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
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
20
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

5 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1410

Location

الشفونية, al Shifonia, Damascus, Syria
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
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

5 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1414

Location

خان الشيح‬, Khan al Sheikh, Damascus, Syria
According to local media, the Khan al-Sheikh camp was subject to intense aerial or artillery shelling, leading to the death of up to three civilians including a child. Two other people were reportedly wounded in the attack, which reports blamed on either Russia or the Assad regime. There were claims that a field hospital and…

Summary

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