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 March 2016

Incident Code

RS0731

Location

السخنة, As Sukhnah, Homs, Syria
Between 15 and 19 civilians died in an alleged airstrikes on a public bus in Palmyra,  according to local sources. According to Alarby, Homs Media Center and Shaam News, 15 died and 20 more were injured when Russian warplanes targeted a bus on the road from Palmyra to Raqqa. Eldorar reported that Russia continued to…

Summary

Published
11 March 2016
Civilians reported killed
15–19
Civilians reported injured
20
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

10 March 2016

Incident Code

RS0722

Location

تدمر, Palmyra, Homs, Syria
One woman and her child died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Palmyra, according to multiple sources. Shaam News Network reported that a girl was killed and several others injured in dozens of alleged Russian airstrikes on Palmyra. It published a video showing bombing on neighbourhoods – though it is not clear whether this is…

Summary

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

Incident Date

10 March 2016

Incident Codes

CS188 RS0723

Location

خشام, Khusham, Deir Ezzor, Syria
At least two civilians including a girl and a woman died in airstrikes on the town of Khusham. While the majority of the sources allege that this was a Coalition incident, other reports say Russia was responsible. According to Free Deir Ezzor, Russian raids targeting oil fields in Khusham killed two civilians displaced from Qaryatain,…

Summary

Published
10 March 2016
Civilians reported killed
2–20
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

9 March 2016

Incident Code

RS0721

Location

تدمر, Palmyra, Homs, Syria
At least three civilians died and dozens more were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Palmyra, according to local sources. Shaam News Network reported that Russian warplanes launched more than 150 raids targeting neighbourhoods in Palmyra, resulting in the dozens of civilians being killed and injured “as well as significant damage and the outbreak of…

Summary

Published
9 March 2016
Civilians reported killed
3–12
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

8 March 2016

Incident Code

RS0720

Location

الجنينة, Al Jneina, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One adult male civilian died in an explosion from the remains of a cluster bomb in Jneina, Deir Ezzor, allegedly dropped by a Russian warplane, according to multiple sources. Four sources named the civilian as 45-year-old Sawadi Salloum, all saying he was killed in a cluster bomb explosion following a raid that morning.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

7 March 2016

Incident Code

RS0717

Location

أبو الظهور, Abu al Duhur, Idlib, Syria
Between 15 and 23 civilians died and up to 132 were injured in airstrikes on Abu al Duhur, according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible. There were claims of a ‘double tap’ strike – with aircraft returning to attack rescuers. In a series…

Summary

Published
7 March 2016
Civilians reported killed
15–23
Civilians reported injured
30–132
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident