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

4,338 – 6,384

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 4,842 separate alleged incidents.

1,145 – 1,394
children likely killed
632 – 766
women likely killed
6,544
likely injured
3,435
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
15,282 – 24,392
Locally reported civilian deaths from Russian Military actions in Syria.
4,842 seperate alleged incidents
Confirmed or Fair
4,338 – 6,384
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by Russian Military
1,344 seperate alleged incidents
Weak
727 – 848
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Weak.
457 seperate alleged incidents
Contested
10,113 – 17,043
Civilian deaths for which the reporting is assessed by Airwars as Contested.
3,026 seperate alleged incidents
Discounted
104 – 117
Civilian deaths were Discounted by Airwars after assessment.
15 seperate alleged incidents
4808 incidents
Order results by:
Incident Date Publication Date

Incident Date

13 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0382

Location

Nawa, Daraa, Syria
نوى
Three civilians were killed when helicopters dropped barrel bombs on Nawa, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. While the Network blamed the regime, the Observatory did not say who was responsible. According to the Revolutionary Forces of Syria, the town experienced a joint ground and air…

Summary

Published
13 January 2016
View Incident

Incident Date

13 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0383

Location

Maskanah, Aleppo, Syria
مسكنة
Up to four civilians were reported killed in an alleged airstrike by Russian warplanes on Maskanah, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights.  

Summary

Published
13 January 2016
View Incident

Incident Date

12 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0381

Location

Qadi A'skar, Aleppo, Syria
قاضي عسكر
Seven to ten civilians were killed and dozens injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on a mosque in Qadi A’skar, according to a number of sources. Activists told Shaam News that Russian warplanes targeted the mosque of Agha Jakk during afternoon prayers, resulting in the deaths of 10 people with dozens more wounded. The Syrian Observatory…

Summary

Published
12 January 2016
View Incident

Incident Date

12 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0380

Location

Maarat al Numan, Idlib, Syria
مَعَرَّة النُّعْمَان
Between 31 and 34 civilians including two to three children were killed – and up to 40 other people injured – in airstrikes on Maarat al Numan in Idlib, according to multiple sources. While all sources allege that Russia was responsible for the attack, initial reports by the Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed the Assad regime –…

Summary

Published
12 January 2016
View Incident

Incident Date

12 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0379

Location

Sarmada, Idlib, Syria
سرمدا
26 civilians including seven children and two to three women were killed – and up to 100 others injured – in airstrikes on Sarmada according to multiple sources. Shaam News reported on three incidents on Idlib on the same day (Maarat Al Numan, Saraqib, Sarmada), and said 13 non-combatants were killed and dozens injured in two strikes by Russian…

Summary

Published
12 January 2016
View Incident

Incident Date

12 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0378

Location

Saraqib, Idlib, Syria
سراقب
Four to five civilians including four women and one child were killed in an airstrike on Saraqib, according to multiple reports. While most sources blame Russia for the attack, others claim the Assad regime was responsible. Shaam News said Russian forces carried out a “massacre” in which five non-combatants including children died. It reported that this was…

Summary

Published
12 January 2016
View Incident