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

2 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1092

Location

سراقب, Saraqib, Idlib, Syria
Russian and Assad regime helicopters allegedly dropped what were reportedly exploding chloride barrels on a residential neighbourhood in Saraqeb in Idlib at 23.20 on Tuesday August 2nd. The Shaam News Network reported that this attack was a “revenge for the killing of a number of Russian officers after their helicopter crashed in the vicinity of…

Summary

Published
2 August 2016
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
10–33
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

2 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1093

Location

تل سلطان, Tall Sultan, Idlib, Syria
Following on from the deadly chloride attack on Saraqeb on August 2nd, Tal al Sultan village was also reportedly hit on the same day by alleged Russian and Assad regime warplanes. According to Syria Direct, these raids were part of the same wave of attacks which blanketed Idlib as part of a revenge attack. Al…

Summary

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

Incident Date

2 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1094

Location

سرمين, Sarmin, Idlib, Syria
On August 2nd, the raids continued in Idlib, with alleged Russian and Syrian regime warplanes shelling a residential neighbourhood in Sermin, killing a further four civilians, sources on the ground reported. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, both warplanes and helicopters carried out the strikes. The Shaam News Network (SNN) reported that this…

Summary

Published
2 August 2016
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
15
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

2 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1088

Location

بداما, Bdama, Idlib, Syria
One person died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Bdama, according to local media. Photographic evidence from the Syrian Civil Defence showed the examination of what appears to be a Russian ballistic missile, containing cluster bombs.The director of the Civil Defence in Bdama reported that “the Russian barges struck Alchgrh village with a ballistic missile,…

Summary

Published
2 August 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
8
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

1 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1083

Location

حي ‏المرجة‬, Marjah (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Three civilians were killed and several others injured, including women and children, in alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime airstrikes on Al Marja, according to local sources. According to HNN Russian planes carried out several raids “leading to the death of three people and causing material damage”. The Shaam News Network reported that “activists said the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

1 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1084

Location

خان الشيح‬, Khan al Sheikh, Damascus, Syria
Five civilians were killed and dozens more wounded in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes on Khan al Sheikh, local media reported. According to Halab Today, “four civilians from one family were martyred following Russian air strikes targeting Khan al Sheikh camp for Palestinian refugees in the western Damascus countryside.” The Syrian Network for Human Rights…

Summary

Published
1 August 2016
Civilians reported killed
4–5
Civilians reported injured
6–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident