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

17 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1279

Location

جنات السلامة, Janat al Salama, Aleppo, Syria
Three children and one or two women, reportedly from the same family, were killed in the village of Janat al Salama, in the countryside of eastern Aleppo, according to local media. All sources but one blamed Russia for the event. The majority of reports agreed Russian warplanes were to blame. Shahbapress, for example, referred to…

Summary

Published
17 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1282

Location

الصالحية, Al Salhiye, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between three and four civilians died in an alleged Russian airstrike on the road outside al Salhiye, Deir Ezzor, local media reported. Step News Agency – who put the death toll at one – stated that “Russian military warplanes launched several raids.” Other outlets, such as @DeirElzor24 and @so_ria98, did not name the responsible party,…

Summary

Published
17 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1280

Location

تلبيسة, Talbisah, Homs, Syria
Between two and four civilians were killed by shelling from Assad’s forces on the city of Talbisah, local sources said. Two casualties were identified by name, a child and a woman. Eldorar News stated that three civilians were killed, while RozanaFM stated “at least two women” died from regime shells. All4Syria News named five total…

Summary

Published
17 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
2–4
Civilians reported injured
2–8
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1278

Location

الرستن‬, Al Rastan, Homs, Syria
Four civilians died and several more were injured in alleged Russian or regime air or artillery strikes on Al Rastan, Homs, according to local media. Among sources attributing the event to Russia were Al Jazeera and Smart. However, many other reports, including those by @so_ria98, @ShahbaPress and LCCSY, pointed to the regime. Several sources, such…

Summary

Published
17 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
2–4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 September 2016

Incident Codes

CS315 RS1281

Location

تل حسان, Tall Hassan, Aleppo, Syria
One named civilian died and between three and 15 others were injured in an airstrike on Tall Hassan’s main mosque, near Aleppo - though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia, the Assad regime or the US-led Coalition were to blame. Lens Young Manbij reported that “A short while ago a Coalition raid on the…

Summary

Published
17 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
3–15
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

16 September 2016

Incident Codes

CS314 RS1274

Location

مسكنة, Maskanah, Aleppo, Syria
Up to five civilians reportedly died in an air raid on Maskanah which most sources said involved cluster munitions. Egypt Today put the death toll at five, "including a woman and her two daughters and her child". Reportedly, the strikes injured up to 12 civilians, including six children. While most reports blamed Russia, Baladi News claimed…

Summary

Published
16 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
4–5
Civilians reported injured
12–15
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident