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 Date Publication Date

Incident Date

10 April 2016

Incident Codes

CS201 RS0755

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
At least five and as many as 20 civilians were reported killed and 53 injured after heavy alleged Coalition, Russian and/or Syrian regime night time strikes on Raqqa. Most sources allege that these were Coalition and regime raids – with the Coalition responsible for those after midnight and the regime for early morning strikes. Coalition…

Summary

Published
10 April 2016
Infrastructure
Healthcare, Education
Civilians reported killed
5–20
Civilians reported injured
53
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

7 April 2016

Incident Code

RS0754

Location

سراقب, Saraqib, Idlib, Syria
Two civilians were killed and nine others wounded in airstrikes on Saraqib, according to local sources. While three alleged that Russia was responsible, two other sources blamed the Assad regime. Shaam News Network said Russia carried out raids on several areas in Idlib, adding: “Activists said that an aircraft targeted the eastern city of Saraqeb…

Summary

Published
7 April 2016
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
9
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

7 April 2016

Incident Code

RS0751

Location

الحسينية, Hussainiya, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One 65-year-old male civilian, Hanoud al-Assaf, was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on the village of Hussainiya, Deir Ezzor, according to local sources. Reports at the time cite heavy clashes in the near area between rebels and the Assad regime.  

Summary

Published
7 April 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

7 April 2016

Incident Code

RS0753

Location

الضمير, Dumayr, Damascus, Syria
One adult male civilian was killed and many people wounded in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on Dumayr, according to local sources. The Violations Documentation Center names Omar Mahdi al-Khasi and says he was killed “due to Russian air forces shelling”. However, in a tweet by Marwanqadi it was reported that he “died in a regime warplanes…

Summary

Published
7 April 2016
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

7 April 2016

Incident Code

RS0752

Location

دير الزور, Deir ez-Zor, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Three civilians died in an alleged Russian airstrike in Deir ez-Zor, according to local sources. Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently reported that three civilians died when “Russian planes targeted al Sina’a, Huwaija Sakr and the area around the military airport with more than 15 raids since the morning after an attack was carried out…

Summary

Published
7 April 2016
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

30 March 2016

Incident Code

RS0750

Location

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria
Shaam News Network reported that one civilian died and several others were wounded in a Russian strike in Douma: “Two civilians were martyred in Al Marj area in Russian raids and one was martyred and others wounded in Douma.” However, other sources report that this was a regime action. The Syrian Network for Human Rights…

Summary

Published
30 March 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident