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

20 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1295

Location

تلبيسة, Talbisah, Homs, Syria
Between one and four civilians were killed and two to 25 injured in air or artillery strikes on the city of Talbissa outside Homs, local sources reported. The lowest death count was given by @syriapost1 as one civilian - but with 10 more wounded. Among the dead were at least one child, woman, and young man,…

Summary

Published
20 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
1–4
Civilians reported injured
2–25
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

20 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1296

Location

خان طومان, Khan Touman, Aleppo, Syria
Between 14 and 18 civilians, mostly emergency doctors and nurses, were killed in an attack on a medical centre in Khan Tuman, Aleppo, local sources reported. Most reports alleged Russian warplanes were responsible for the attack, which specifically targeted the centre. However, the Syrian Network for Human Rights also pointed to the regime in some…

Summary

Published
20 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
14–18
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

19 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1285

Location

ميادين, Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Five to six civilians including several children were killed in airstrikes on Al Mayadeen, outside Deir Al-Zour, local sources reported. All but one source blamed Russia for the event. Step News said “four civilians were killed and others injured in a similar raid targeting al Jaish street and Al Haram street near al Saraya in…

Summary

Published
19 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
5–6
Civilians reported injured
11–15
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

19 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1286

Location

التبني, Al Tabani, Deir Ezzor, Syria
According to local media, six or seven civilians were killed and several more wounded by warplanes in al Tabani, Deir Ezzor. Sources were conflicted as to the responsible party, with most agreeing the planes were Russian. Most sources claimed six dead. For instance, Jisir TV tweeted “six martyrs in the town of Al Tabani”, and…

Summary

Published
19 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
6–7
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

19 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1287

Location

حور, Hor, Aleppo, Syria
Local media reported that 15 civilians including three children died and dozens more were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Hor, outside Aleppo - though sources were conflicted as to whether Russian warplanes of regime helicopters dropping barrel bombs were to blame. Several sources reported twelve fatalities: for instance, Shahed-ayan news stated…

Summary

Published
19 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
15
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

19 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1284

Location

جنات السلامة, Janat al Salama, Aleppo, Syria
Russian warplanes struck the village of Janat al Salama in the eastern countryside of Aleppo, killing four civilians, including two women, from the same family, local sources reported. Most sources used similar language to Shahed-ayan, which stated “warplanes targeted the town of Janat al Salama near the Dayr Hafir, causing the martyrdom of four people,…

Summary

Published
19 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident