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

6 March 2016

Incident Code

RS0712

Location

بزاعا, Bza'a village, Aleppo, Syria
Up to four non-combatants died in alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Bza’a, according to local sources. SY_Post said Russian warplanes conducted three raids on the village.

Summary

Published
6 March 2016
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

6 March 2016

Incident Code

RS0716

Location

شنهصة, Shahnasa village, Aleppo, Syria
Up to four civilians died in an alleged Russian strike on the village of Shahnasa, according to local sources. HNN named Karim Hussein al-Abdullah as a victim and said three more unidentified people were killed in a Russian strike. DCHRS also named Karim Hussein al-Abdullah and added that three unidentified victims died. It too blamed…

Summary

Published
6 March 2016
Civilians reported killed
4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

4 March 2016

Incident Code

RS0711

Location

الحميدية, Hamidiya (Deir ez-Zor), Deir Ezzor, Syria
One child was killed following an alleged Russian airstrike on Hamidiya, according to several local sources. She died of her injuries two days later. One source says that a female died in a barrel bomb attack – suggesting a possible regime action. The victim was named by the VDC as Baydaa Abdul Lateef al Sayer.…

Summary

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

Incident Date

4 March 2016

Incident Code

RS0709

Location

الصوانة, Sawaneh, Homs, Syria
Between nine and 11 civilians were killed in airstrikes on Sawaneh according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. Shaam News Network reported: “Russian aviation has committed a massacre after midnight last night against civilians in the town of Sawana, southwestern…

Summary

Published
4 March 2016
Civilians reported killed
9–11
Civilians reported injured
50
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

4 March 2016

Incident Code

RS0710

Location

الشيفونية, Al Shifoniyah, Damascus, Syria
Two civilians died and several others were wounded in raids on Al Shifoniyah, according to local reports – though it is currently unclear whether Russia or the Assad regime was responsible. Shaam News Network reported that “After six days of calm the regime and Russia have returned to Douma to disturb the lives of civilians,…

Summary

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

Incident Date

3 March 2016

Incident Code

RS0708

Location

حلب, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
One adult civilian died and three children were reported wounded in an airstrike on Aleppo, according to local sources. The VDC named a victim as  Ahmad Abd al-Kareem al-Shaikh and blamed Russia. A Tweet by Ahat Watan said: “Young Ahmed Abdul Karim Sheikh, another martyr, God willing, was killed by the criminal Russian airstrike this…

Summary

Published
3 March 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident