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

1 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1383

Location

كفر حمرة, Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Syria
Local sources reported that the village Kafr Hamra outside of Aleppo was struck by "four" alleged airstrikes which led to the death of one man. According to NabdTV "the Civil defence forces recovered the body of a senior citizen from the rubble which was stuck there for two days". A range of local media also…

Summary

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

Incident Date

1 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1386

Location

اللطامنة, Ltamenah, Hama, Syria
Up to six civilians including a girl died in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on al Latamna, Hama, according to local media. Sources were not clear whether or not Khadija (Um Daher) and Hussein Al-Saleh (Abu Hussein) were two people or one person. In this instance they have been listed as two people. According…

Summary

Published
1 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
5–6
Civilians reported injured
2–10
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

30 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1378

Location

Kafr Zita, Hama, Syria
Two civilians were reported killed in an airstrike on Kafr Zita in Hama - though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime. Syria News Desk reported: “Two civilians were killed yesterday evening [Sept 30th] due to the Russian warplanes targeting the city of Kafr Zita which…

Summary

Published
30 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
20
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

30 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1376

Location

الزيتونات, al Zaitouniat, Aleppo, Syria
Sixteen or 17 civilians were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on the Al Zaitouniat neighbourhood of Aleppo, according to local media. Smo-sy reported: “five civilians were killed and others were wounded in the Al Zaitouniat area in the Halak district today [Sept 30th], following Russian bombardment raids.” Several sources mentioned the use of bunker busters…

Summary

Published
30 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
16–17
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

30 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1379

Location

الشيخ فارس, al Sheikh Faress, Aleppo, Syria
Between six and 14 civilians died including up to seven children and four women with dozens more wounded in airstrikes with “bunker busting” missiles on the residential neighbourhood of Al Sheikh Faress, Aleppo, according to sources on the ground. The majority of sources attributed this incident to Russia, though one report said that the Assad…

Summary

Published
30 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
6–14
Civilians reported injured
12–36
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

30 September 2016

Incident Codes

CS319 RS1380

Location

البصيرة, al Basira, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between four to 20 civilians were reported killed and 12 or more injured after an alleged Coalition, Russian or Assad regime strike at al Basira, according to local media. A photograph published by Euphrates Post showed what appeared to have been a major strike in a built up area of the town. And a video…

Summary

Published
30 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
4–20
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident