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

21 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1182

Location

احسم, Ihsem, Jabal al Zawia, Idlib, Syria
One child died in an airstrike on Ihsem, Jabal Al-Zawia, local media reported. Two sources said that the regime carried out attacks on the town. While none of the reports blamed Russia, most of them referred to unidentified “warplanes”, meaning that Moscow’ involvement could not be ruled out. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported…

Summary

Published
21 August 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

20 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1177

Location

كفر جوم, Kafr Gom, Aleppo, Syria
Up to six civilians including a woman and her children died and as many as dozens more were wounded in an airstrike on Kafr Gom, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. Many sources noted the use of cluster bombs…

Summary

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

Incident Date

20 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1175

Location

قبطان الجبل, Qubtan al Jabal, Aleppo, Syria
Three civilians including one child and one woman died and several more civilians were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Qubtan Al-Jabal, according to sources on the ground. Reports cited the use of cluster bombs in the attack. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

Published
20 August 2016
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

20 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1178

Location

أورم الكبرى, Urma al Kubra, Aleppo, Syria
Between 10 and 16 civilians including women and children died and dozens more were wounded in airstrikes on Orme Al-Kubra, local media reported – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the regime. The majority of reports, however, pointed to Russia. The lowest death count was given as…

Summary

Published
20 August 2016
Civilians reported killed
10–16
Civilians reported injured
12–36
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

20 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1176

Location

Adwan, Idlib, Syria
Two or more civilians including two women died and up to 50 more were wounded when cluster bombs were dropped on Adwan, local media reported. The majority of the sources – LCCSY, the Syrian Network for Human Rights and ENN – blamed the regime. Idlib City News put the death toll at one, but most…

Summary

Published
20 August 2016
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
12–50
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

20 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1179

Location

كفر حلب, Kafr Halab, Aleppo, Syria
Seven civilians including two women died and up to 25 more were wounded in an airstrike on Kafr Halab, local media reported. The majority of sources blamed Russia, though a number didn’t specify which “warplanes” were responsible. One source, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, reported that barrel bombs were dropped on the town –…

Summary

Published
20 August 2016
Civilians reported killed
7
Civilians reported injured
2–25
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident