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

30 September 2016

Incident Codes

CS320 RS1381

Location

الشحيل, Al Shaheel, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Two or three children and an elderly woman died in an airstrike on a primary school at al Shaheel, according to local media – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of the Syrian regime, Russia or the US-led Coalition. Deir Ezzor 24, the Syrian Observatory and Euphrates Post reported only…

Summary

Published
30 September 2016
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Civilians reported injured
4
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

30 September 2016

Incident Codes

CS321 RS1382

Location

بقرص, Bokros, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Up to 10 civilians including a family of four died following air raids on Bokros, according to sources on the ground. The Syrian regime, Russia and the Coalition were all blamed. According to Shaam News, “In the town of Bokros Coalition aircraft attacked houses belonging to civilians, which led to the death of four people,…

Summary

Published
30 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
4–10
Civilians reported injured
7
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

30 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1377

Location

al Halak, Aleppo, Syria
Between one and seven civilians died in alleged Russian or Syrian regime air or artillery strikes on Aleppo's Al Halak neighbourhood, according to local media. Syrian Press Center reported both strikes by the regime and Russia: “The regime army positioned in al-Midan area targeted residential houses in the al-Hallak district on Saturday [Sept 30th] with…

Summary

Published
30 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
1–7
Civilians reported injured
5–15
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

30 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1374

Location

Jesrin, Damascus, Syria
Between three and four civilians including one woman died in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Jesrin in Eastern Ghouta, according to sources on the ground. The Syrian Network for Human Rights attributed the event to the Syrian regime, putting the death toll at three. Meanwhile, SCDrifdimashq reported that four people were killed and…

Summary

Published
30 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Civilians reported injured
2–5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

30 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1375

Location

Kafr Batna, Damascus, Syria
Between eight and nine civilians were reportedly killed in alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes on Kafr Batna in Eastern Ghouta. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights put the death toll at three including one woman with "others" wounded. According to Enabbaladi, "nine people, including seven children, were killed as a result of the targeting…

Summary

Published
30 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
8–9
Civilians reported injured
2–5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

29 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1371

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Shaykhun, Idlib, Syria
Between three and six civilians including up to three children were reportedly killed in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes on Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib. LCCSY wrote that “three died and some were wounded among civilians as Russian warplanes bombarded Khan Sheikhoun city.” The Syrian Network for Human Rights, on the other hand, accused the Assad regime…

Summary

Published
29 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
3–6
Civilians reported injured
2–10
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident