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

16 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0408

Location

برلهين, Berlheen, Aleppo, Syria
According to Alaan TV, Russian raids killed eight civilians in Berlheen. Halab News put the death toll higher, at 13, but did not identify the warplanes responsible. LCCSY reported that 15 civilians died in strikes on Tal Maksour and Berlheen, but they did not say who was to blame. Aleppo journalist Khaledaboalmjed said that 28…

Summary

Published
16 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
8–13
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

16 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0404

Location

عين ترما, A'ayn Turma, Damascus, Syria
Three to four civilians died in alleged Russian airstrikes and/or shelling by the Assad regime, according to local sources. However, reports need further verification as half of them speak of Russian followed by regime shelling while the other half only mention regime shelling. Orient News published a video showing the aftermath of a alleged Russian…

Summary

Published
16 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

16 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0405

Location

ام شقيف, Um Shkeef, Aleppo, Syria
Three civilians died in an alleged Russian airstrikes on the the village of Um Shkeef, according to two local sources. Alaan TV reported that dozens died and were wounded by alleged Russian strikes in east Aleppo, including three civilians in Um Shkeef, located on the road from Al Bab to Manbij. Halab News also put…

Summary

Published
16 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
2–3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

16 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0406

Location

قصر البريج, Qasr al Burayj, Aleppo, Syria
Alaan TV reported Russian raids on Qasr el Bureji, but did not provide information on casualties. According to Halab News, eight civilians died in a bombardment by warplanes, though they did not identify the planes. Step also put the death toll at eight, though it was unclear from their report whether Russia or the regime…

Summary

Published
16 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
8
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

16 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0402

Location

تمورة, Tamoura, Aleppo, Syria
Two civilians were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Tamoura, according to  the Shaam News Network. SNN reported that 10 civilians were killed in airstrikes on the cities and towns of the northern countryside of Aleppo since Saturday morning: four in Ma’arsta al-Khan, two in Hayyan, two in Tel Rifa’at and two in Tamoura, in addition to dozens wounded. Halab Today TV…

Summary

Published
16 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

16 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0403

Location

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria
Seven civilians were killed and 25 others injured when cluster bombs were allegedly fired on Douma, according to the White Helmets and the Shaam News Network. The White Helmets did not say who was responsible for the attack, but reported that “the number of martyrs today in Douma has risen to 4 following the bombing with…

Summary

Published
16 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
7
Civilians reported injured
25
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident