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

13 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0607

Location

حلب, Castello-Kafr Hamra Road, Aleppo, Syria
Five non-combatants including three to four women died when a civilian car was targeted  on Castello-Kafr Hamra Road in Aleppo, according to local sources. All but one said this was an attack by the Assad regime – while the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights does not specify who was responsible. The Syrian Network for Human…

Summary

Published
13 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0601

Location

الغنطو, Al Ghantu, Homs, Syria
Between 14 and 16 civilians died including one woman and up to four children in alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Ghantu, according to local sources. The Shaam News Network reported “an appalling massacre” in Al Ghantu, which killed 16 non-combatants including members of the civil defence who rushed to the location of the first raid…

Summary

Published
12 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
14–16
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0598

Location

داعل, Da'el, Daraa, Syria
Two civilians died and several more were injured in an airstrike on Da’el, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. According to Step News Agency, Russian warplanes carried out a raid on Da’el, killing one civilian and injuring a number…

Summary

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

Incident Date

12 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0599

Location

el Na'aymeh, Daraa, Syria
At least two civilians died and three or more were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on el Na’aymeh, according to two local sources. Alyakeen Media published a number of videos showing destruction of the town and the removal of dead and wounded bodies from the rubble. Voiceovers in videos said that the strikes were carried…

Summary

Published
12 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0600

Location

الدار الكبيره, Dayr al Kabira, Homs, Syria
Two civilians including one woman were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Dayr al Kabira, according to two local sources. Shaam News Network reported on the incident in Al Ghantu (listed above) and added that “The town of Al Dar al Kabir suffered a similar air raid which led to the fall of two…

Summary

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

Incident Date

12 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0602

Location

مارع, Mare', Shaikh Isa, Aleppo, Syria
Three to four civilians including one woman and one to three children were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Sheikh Eisa village in Mare’, according to local sources. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that two civilians – a woman and a child – died when “suspected Russian warplanes” fired missiles on…

Summary

Published
12 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident