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

7 March 2016

Incident Code

RS0718

Location

أورم الكبرى, Urma al Kubra, Aleppo, Syria
Six civilians including two to three children and one woman died in alleged Russian airstrikes on Orm al Kubra according to multiple local sources. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported a “massacre due to suspected Russian forces shelling on regime forces shelling in Owrm Al Kubra town in Aleppo governorate in March 7“. It said…

Summary

Published
7 March 2016
Civilians reported killed
6
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

7 March 2016

Incident Code

RS0719

Location

تدمر, Palmyra, Homs, Syria
Two civilians – one woman and a child – died in an airstrike on Palmyra according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were to blame. Shaam News Network reported: “Russian planes supported Assad’s forces by bombing clash points. They targeted the city of Palmyra with…

Summary

Published
7 March 2016
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2
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

Incident Date

6 March 2016

Incident Code

RS0714

Location

خربة كيار, Khirbet Kyar village, Aleppo, Syria
One woman died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Khirbet Kyar, according to local sources. HNN named Afaf Kareem Al-kharaf, a 42-year-old female, as killed in a Russian strike. The victim was also named by DAD Human and Ho_maf, though these sources didn’t say who was responsible for her death. Syria News Desk reported that…

Summary

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

Incident Date

6 March 2016

Incident Code

RS0713

Location

فيخة, Fikha village, Aleppo, Syria
Three non-combatants including a child died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Fikha, according to local sources. Syriashuhada said three unidentified civilians died in a Russian strike. HNN also put the death toll at three, attributing the incident to Russia. According to Alamwai a child was among the three fatalities, though didn’t say who carried…

Summary

Published
6 March 2016
Civilians reported killed
3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

6 March 2016

Incident Code

RS0715

Location

فيحان, Faihan, Aleppo, Syria
Between eight and 17 civilians died in a strike on Faihan according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that four non-combatants including two children from the same family died when suspected Russian warplanes fired missiles on…

Summary

Published
6 March 2016
Civilians reported killed
8–17
Civilians reported injured
20
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident