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

30 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1077

Location

سرمدا, Sarmada, Idlib, Syria
Four or five civilians died in an airstrike on Sarmada, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. Qasioun, Almntsrbalaah and Halabtoday all said that Russia was responsible, while Syria News Desk added that Russian warplanes had dropped cluster bombs on Sarmada’s main…

Summary

Published
30 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
4–5
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

30 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1079

Location

تلبيسة, Talbisah, Homs, Syria
One child died and 15 other civilians – many reportedly also children – were wounded in a civilian casualty incident in Talbisah, according to local media – though it was unclear whether the casualties were caused by Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes or Syrian regime artillery. Al Jazeera and Gulfeyes blamed Russia. According to Syria…

Summary

Published
30 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
15
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

30 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1080

Location

الرستن‬, Ar-Rastan, Homs, Syria
One named child died and a number of other non-combatants were injured in an airstrike on Ar Rastan, according to local media – though it was unclear whether planes belonging to the Syrian regime or Moscow caused the casualties. The victim was also named by some other sources, though they didn’t identify the warplane which…

Summary

Published
30 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

30 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1078

Location

مَعَرَّة النُّعْمَان, Maarat al Numan, Idlib, Syria
Five civilians died and several more were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Maarat al Numan, according to local sources. Syrian Press Center, Smart News Agency, Zakaria Nassani, Eldorar, Iraqsunahnews, RFS, EMC and LCCSY all blamed Russia. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

Published
30 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

29 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1073

Location

Abeen Saba'an, Aleppo, Syria
Up to 11 civilians were killed and dozens more wounded in an airstrike on Abeen Saba’an, according to local media – though sources are conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime. Step News Agency, Syrian News Desk, Taha_Alhlo, and the Syrian Network for Human Rights all attributed the…

Summary

Published
29 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
3–11
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

29 July 2016

Incident Code

RS1074

Location

بداما, Bdama, Idlib, Syria
Step News Agency, Jisrtv and Syriapost1 reported that one person died and five were wounded after a rocket was fired from a Russian warship toward Bdama, Idlib. According to the Shaam News Network, “Russian warships targeted at night the town of Bdama in the countryside Western Jisr al shoughour in the  Idlib countryside with a…

Summary

Published
29 July 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
5–8
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident