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

4,338 – 6,384

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 4,843 separate alleged incidents.

1,145 – 1,394
children likely killed
632 – 766
women likely killed
6,544
likely injured
3,435
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
15,282 – 24,392
Locally reported civilian deaths from Russian Military actions in Syria.
4,843 seperate alleged incidents
Confirmed or Fair
4,338 – 6,384
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by Russian Military
1,344 seperate alleged incidents
Weak
727 – 848
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Weak.
457 seperate alleged incidents
Contested
10,113 – 17,043
Civilian deaths for which the reporting is assessed by Airwars as Contested.
3,027 seperate alleged incidents
Discounted
104 – 117
Civilian deaths were Discounted by Airwars after assessment.
15 seperate alleged incidents
4809 incidents
Order results by:
Incident Date Publication Date

Incident Date

9 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1248

Location

Binnish, Idlib, Syria
بنش
A female child was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike which struck Fatima Al-Zahra’a Mosque in Binnish, Idlib, 9th September 2016, according to sources on the ground. Most sources blamed Russian warplanes fort he alleged raid, but others do not name a belligerent at all. According to sources such as SN4HR, 6-7 civilians were injured…

Summary

Published
9 September 2016
View Incident

Incident Date

9 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1247

Location

al Tah, Idlib, Syria
التح
One child died and six or seven other civilians were injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on Bennesh in Idlib, according to local media. Sources reported that the strike hit Fatima Al-Zahra mosque. The Shaam News Network reported that the mosque was destroyed in the attack – while reports put the number on non-combatants wounded…

Summary

Published
9 September 2016
View Incident

Incident Date

8 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1246

Location

Khan Shaykhun, Idlib, Syria
خان شيخون
Up to five civilians including as many as four children died and dozens more were wounded in airstrikes on Khan Sheikhoun, according to local media – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. Qasioun reported the death of a female child, blaming the regime. Other sources also…

Summary

Published
8 September 2016
View Incident

Incident Date

8 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1244

Location

Yaked al A'adas, Aleppo, Syria
ياقد العدس
One female child died and several other civilians were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Yaked al A’adas, according to local media. The majority of sources blamed Russia, though several did not identify the warplanes responsible for the event. According to reports the girl was originally from Aleppo.

Summary

Published
8 September 2016
View Incident

Incident Date

8 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1245

Location

Sabkha al Mo, Homs, Syria
Three civilians – a woman and two men – died in an alleged Russian airstrike on a car in Sabkha al Moh, local media reported. According to the Shaam News Network, “Russian planes targeted a civilian car carrying traveling bedouins [one woman and two men] in the area around Sabkha al Moh south of the…

Summary

Published
8 September 2016
View Incident

Incident Date

7 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1241

Location

Kafr Zita, Hama, Syria
Al Latamna Youth reported the death of one civilian male following cluster bomb raids by suspected Russian planes on the town of Kafr Zita.  No further details are currently available.

Summary

Published
7 September 2016
View Incident