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

13 March 2016

Incident Code

RS0737

Location

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria
At least one child was killed in Douma according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether this was a Russian airstrike or the result of regime artillery. Shaam News, reported: “Russian planes carried out raids on Douma neighbourhoods which was preceeded by artillery shelling. One civilian was killed and others were…

Summary

Published
13 March 2016
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

13 March 2016

Incident Code

RS0735

Location

حي الصالحين, Salheen (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Between five and ten civilians died and 10 more were injured in an airstrike on Al Salheen which violated a ceasefire, according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the regime. Janobia reported that Russian raids on Al Salheen killed 10 civilians and wounded…

Summary

Published
13 March 2016
Civilians reported killed
5–10
Civilians reported injured
10
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

13 March 2016

Incident Code

RS0734

Location

كفرنبل‎, Kafr Nabil, Idlib, Syria
One adult male civilian may have died in an airstrike on Kafr Nabil, according to two local sources. The VDC listed Jameel al Ekel as a victim of a Russian strike but says the victim is from Kafr Nabil, and doesn’t state where he was killed. Fresh News reports the same victim killed  “in warplane…

Summary

Published
13 March 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

13 March 2016

Incident Code

RS0736

Location

السخنة, As Sukhnah, Homs, Syria
Between seven and eight civilians including three children and one or two women died in alleged Russian airstrikes on Sukhna, according to local sources. Shaam News reported that eight civilians including were killed and more than 10 others injured on alleged Russian raids on Sukhna. SNN added: “The co-ordinating city of Palmyra said that in…

Summary

Published
13 March 2016
Civilians reported killed
7–8
Civilians reported injured
10
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12 March 2016

Incident Code

RS0733

Location

ماضي, Maadi, Aleppo, Syria
Two civilians including one woman died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Maadi, Aleppo, according to local sources. Ana Press reported that a Russian strike “resulted in casualties and injuries among civilians and massive destruction of the residential buildings”. The victims were also named by Syrian Human Rights Committee and other sources.  

Summary

Published
12 March 2016
Civilians reported killed
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12 March 2016

Incident Code

RS0732

Location

تدمر, Palmyra, Homs, Syria
The Violations Documentation Center listed one unidentified woman as a victim of an alleged Russian airstrikes on Palmyra. No further details are currently available.  

Summary

Published
12 March 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident