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

16 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1275

Location

دير حافر‎, Dayr Hafir, Aleppo, Syria
Four civilians of whom between two or four were children died in alleged Russian airstrikes on Dayr Hafer, Aleppo, local media reported. Halab News said that the four victims were from the family of Hussein al Allawi al Kiyari. According to LCCSY, “warplanes, believed to be Russian, launched several airstrikes on Abu Souseh village, which…

Summary

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

Incident Date

16 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1276

Location

حريتان, Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria
Up to eight civilians died in air or artillery strikes on Hraitan, according to local media – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Assad regime were to blame. Only one source – LCCSY – explicitly said that Russia was responsible, reporting that “12 people were killed in Aleppo, most of them in Russian…

Summary

Published
16 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
1–8
Civilians reported injured
2–5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

16 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1277

Location

تلبيسة, Talbisah, Homs, Syria
Five named civilians including one child and a woman died and up to eight more were wounded in alleged Russian or Assad regime air and artillery strikes on Talbissa, Homs, according to sources on the ground. Syria News Desk reported that “three young men were killed and five others wounded today after cluster bombs dropped…

Summary

Published
16 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
3–8
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

15 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1271

Location

البوكمال, Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria
According to HNN, “20 civilians were killed in Russian raids on Abu Kamal.” However, Deir Ezzor 24 reported that “all news reporting a massacre in al Boukamal has been dismissed and is totally untrue.” USEmbassySyrau tweeted “ten raids by the coalition in Abu Kamal in Syria destroyed 29 targets of ISIS near Abu Kamal in…

Summary

Published
15 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
20
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

15 September 2016

Incident Code

RS1273

Location

Tabara Kalash, Aleppo, Syria
Between three and nine civilians including two children and one man died and more were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Tabara Kalash village, according to local media. LCCSY “documented the deaths of nine people in Aleppo killed in a Russian air raid using cluster bombs on the village of Tabara Kalah and in…

Summary

Published
15 September 2016
Civilians reported killed
3–9
Civilians reported injured
2–10
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

15 September 2016

Incident Codes

CS313 RS1272

Location

ميادين, Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In what was widely reported as a Russian action, at least 27 civilians died and more than 70 were injured following airstrikes on Al Mayadeen. Almost all sources including Daesh blamed Russia. Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered said 6 Russian planes carried out 20 strikes between them, including on a children’s playground. Shaam News added…

Summary

Published
15 September 2016
Infrastructure
Healthcare, Education
Civilians reported killed
27–40
Civilians reported injured
70
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident