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

19 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1173

Location

الراموسة, Ramousa, Aleppo, Syria
Between three and nine non-combatants died and dozens more were injured in an airstrike on a bus or cars carrying civilians on the road between Khan Tuman town and the Al Ramoseh neighbourhood of Aleppo city, local media reported. All but one source attributed the event to Russia. The Syrian Network for Human Rights said…

Summary

Published
19 August 2016
Civilians reported killed
3–9
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

19 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1172

Location

الحويقة, Howeqa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One civilian male died and up to dozens more were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Howeqa. The Smart News Network reported that “One civilian was killed and others were injured” in a Russian strike. According to @SYRIAEVENT1 “dozens” were wounded in addition to one death.

Summary

Published
19 August 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

19 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1174

Location

الغنطو, Ghantou, Homs, Syria
Ten named civilians including two children and two women died and dozens more were injured in airstrikes on Ghantou in Homs, local media reported. The majority of sources blamed the Assad regime, though some others attributed the event to Russia. Smo-syria, @syriapost1, @ALAMAWI and Halab Today said that Russia was responsible. Halab Today put the…

Summary

Published
19 August 2016
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
10–22
Civilians reported injured
12–36
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

18 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1169

Location

حي الصالحين, Salheen (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Up to eight civilians including one child died in a casualty event in the Al Slaheen neighbourhood of Aleppo, local sources reported – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were to blame. According to Syria News Desk: “seven civilians were killed and five wounded in the Al Salheen neighbourhood…

Summary

Published
18 August 2016
Civilians reported killed
7–8
Civilians reported injured
5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

18 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1168

Location

الحميدية, Hamidia, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local media reported an unspecified number of civilian deaths in alleged Russian airstrikes on Hamida, Sinaa and Kanamat in Deir Ezzor. According to LCCSY, “The Russian aviation raided a gas station near Dawar Al-Halabiah and Al-Orwa gas station in the town of Al-Ginenah, while another raid struck the town of Ayyash in the western countryside.…

Summary

Published
18 August 2016
Civilians reported killed
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

18 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1170

Location

الصالحية, Salhiya, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Up to nine civilians including children and a woman died and as many as dozens more were wounded in an airstrike on the village of Salihiya at the northern entrance to the city of Deir Ezzor, local media reported. Three sources – @ِALAMAWI, @ShahbaPress, LCCSY – said that six victims from one family had died.…

Summary

Published
18 August 2016
Civilians reported killed
6–9
Civilians reported injured
15–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident