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

12 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1138

Location

حيان, Hayyan, Aleppo, Syria
Another hospital was reportedly struck on 12th August 2016. At least 12 civilians including four women and between eight and ten children died, and up to 15 more were injured, in five air raids launched against the town of Hayyan, according to sources on the ground. The children’s hospital was reportedly destroyed by the airstrikes,…

Summary

Published
12 August 2016
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
12–14
Civilians reported injured
7–15
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1139

Location

منطقة المتحف وسوق الهال, Souq al Hal, Raqqa, Syria
Between four and six civilians died and as many as dozens more were wounded in airstrikes on Souq al-Hal near the town of Orme al-Kubra, according to local media – though it was unclear whether Russia or the regime were responsible for the casualties. The Smart News Agency and All4syria for among sources blaming Russia.…

Summary

Published
12 August 2016
Civilians reported killed
4–6
Civilians reported injured
10–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1132

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Seven named civilians died and up to 50 more were wounded in multiple alleged Russian airstrikes on Raqqa, according to local media. According to @lebanon4_com, 30 civilians died in the Russian strikes, though the Violations Documentation Center put the number at seven. @DoumaRevolution added that 50 more civilians were wounded in 12 raids.

Summary

Published
12 August 2016
Civilians reported killed
7–30
Civilians reported injured
50
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1133

Location

تلعادة, Tal Adeh, Idlib, Syria
Between five and nine civilians were killed, including children, and between 10 and 15 more were injured from two air raids that targeted the town of Tal Adeh in the Idlib countryside. Baladi News published a video depicting volunteers searching the rubble for survivors of the airstrikes. Local sources were conflicted as to who was…

Summary

Published
12 August 2016
Civilians reported killed
5–9
Civilians reported injured
10–15
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1134

Location

تير معلة, Teir Ma'ala, Homs, Syria
At least one civilian was killed and between seven and 15 others were wounded from airstrikes on the village of Teir Ma’ala, specifically a makeshift hospital in the village. The majority of sources attributed the attacks to Russian warplanes, but @Talbisah2011 blamed regime jets. A local media activist named Kenan Abu Osama described the incident: “I…

Summary

Published
12 August 2016
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
7–15
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1135

Location

كفر حمرة, Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Syria
Airstrikes reportedly destroyed a Pediatrics and Gynecology hospital on 12th August 2016 in Kafr Hamra. At least three civilians were killed, and seven or more wounded, mostly members of a medical staff, women, or children. Some of the personnel working in the hospital were affected; both a nurse and an ambulance driver were killed in…

Summary

Published
12 August 2016
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
7
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident