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

22 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1185

Location

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria
Eight civilians including women and children died and up to 20 more were wounded in airstrikes on Douma, local media reported – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were to blame. The majority of sources, however, accused the regime. According to Syria News Desk, “about 20 vacuum missiles, cluster…

Summary

Published
22 August 2016
Civilians reported killed
8
Civilians reported injured
2–20
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

22 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1186

Location

الرستن‬, Ar-Rastan, Homs, Syria
One named child died and up many more civilians were wounded in airstrikes on Rastan, according to sources on the ground – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. LCCSY reported one “child martyr and the critical wounding of other civilians in airstrikes on residential…

Summary

Published
22 August 2016
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
2–12
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

22 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1187

Location

حي خان العسل, Khan al Asal, Aleppo, Syria
Up to six civilians – reportedly from the same family, according to some sources – died and as many as dozens more were wounded in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes which hit the Zahret-Almadaan area near Khan Al-Sal, local media said. While the majority of sources blamed Russia, the Shaam News Network attributed the event…

Summary

Published
22 August 2016
Civilians reported killed
4–6
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

22 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1188

Location

معارة النعسان, Maarat al Naasan, Idlib, Syria
Between five and 19 civilians were killed, including two women and two to three children, and several others were injured from airstrikes that struck Maarat al-Naasan. Among those killed were seven members of the same family. Following the airstrikes, the civil defense teams were mobilized to rescue those trapped in the rubble and transport them…

Summary

Published
22 August 2016
Civilians reported killed
5–19
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

22 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1189

Location

الراموسة, Ramousa, Aleppo, Syria
Two civilians died and at least five more were wounded in an airstrike on the road leading to the neighborhood of Ramousa, south of of the city of Aleppo, local media reported – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. However, the majority of sources…

Summary

Published
22 August 2016
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
5–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

22 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1190

Location

الأنصاري, Al Ansari (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Local media reported that between two and six civilians died in an alleged Russian airstrike on the Al Ansari neighbourhood of Aleppo. The lowest death count was given by the Syrian Network for Human Rights – at two non-combatants. However, all other sources said that six civilians died. The majority of the reports blamed Russia,…

Summary

Published
22 August 2016
Civilians reported killed
2–6
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident