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

11 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1130

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Shaykhun, Idlib, Syria
Between five and six civilians – four from the same family – were killed and at least two others were wounded by more than two airstrikes on the city of Khan Sheikhoun, local media reported. Sources were conflicted as to whether the planes belonged to Russia or the regime. Most of those injured were reportedly…

Summary

Published
11 August 2016
Civilians reported killed
5–6
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

10 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1119

Location

أورم الكبرى, Urma al Kubra, Aleppo, Syria
Between two and 11 civilians including women and children were killed, and up to 30 more injured by airstrikes on the town of Orme al Kubra, according to local media – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Assad regime were to blame for the casualties. The Syrian Network for Human Rights gave conflicting…

Summary

Published
10 August 2016
Civilians reported killed
2–11
Civilians reported injured
5–30
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

10 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1120

Location

حطلة, Hatla, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Up to ten civilians were killed, including "a woman and her four daughters", and 20 more injured in airstrikes on the town of Halta, according to sources on the ground – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. Both The Shaam News Network (SNN) and…

Summary

Published
10 August 2016
Civilians reported killed
0–10
Civilians reported injured
20
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

10 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1121

Location

إدلب, Idlib, Idlib, Syria
Reports estimated that between 11 and 23 civilians were killed and between 30 and 70 more were injured airstrikes on Idlib City – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Assad regime were to blame. Responsibility for the strikes was attributed to both regime and Russian warplanes by the Syrian Network for Human Rights…

Summary

Published
10 August 2016
Civilians reported killed
11–23
Civilians reported injured
30–70
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

10 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1122

Location

مَعَرَّة النُّعْمَان, Maarat al Numan, Idlib, Syria
At least five and as many as 11 civilians, including three children were killed by air raids carried out on August 10th in Maarat al Numan, local media reported. Additionally, ten to 30 other civilians were wounded from the air raids.The Shaam News Network identified the planes as being Russian warplanes. However, Alsouria and @Maaramc12…

Summary

Published
10 August 2016
Civilians reported killed
5–11
Civilians reported injured
10–30
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

10 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1123

Location

أريحا, Ariha, Idlib, Syria
At least three airstrikes on Ariha killed between up to six civilians and wounded up to 20 more including five women, according to local media. The Syrian Network for Human Rights and Smart News Agency attributed the shelling to regime warplanes. The Smart News agency reported that “regime warplanes launched three raids on the city…

Summary

Published
10 August 2016
Civilians reported killed
5–6
Civilians reported injured
12–20
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident