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

15 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0396

Location

الطعوس, Al Tao'ous, Aleppo, Syria
Up to 10 civilians died and dozens more were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Al Tao’ous near Dayr Hafer, according to local sources – though one source points to possible involvement by the Assad regime. Syrian Press Center reported that nine civilians died and dozens more were injured in Russian strikes.…

Summary

Published
15 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
9–10
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

15 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0392

Location

تدمر, Palmyra, Homs, Syria
One adult male civilian was killed in an alleged Russian strike in Palmyra when the car he was driving was hit. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that warplanes “believed to be Russian” carried out several intense raids which targeted areas in “al-Qaryatayn city in the southeastern countryside of Homs and other areas in the…

Summary

Published
15 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

15 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0393

Location

دير العصافير, Dayr al Asafeer, Damascus, Syria
Eight to nine civilians including one to two women and two children were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Dayr al Asafeer, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and the White Helmets. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that eight non-combatants including one woman and two children were killed and others injured when “warplanes believed…

Summary

Published
15 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
8–9
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

15 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0394

Location

ماير, Mayer, Aleppo, Syria
One to two civilians were allegedly killed and several others injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Mayer, according to local sources. In a news roundup, Shaam News said two non-combatants died in a raid by Russian warplanes, while the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that “a person was killed when warplanes believed to be Russian bombed areas in…

Summary

Published
15 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
0–2
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

15 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0390

Location

زملكا, Zamalka, Damascus, Syria
Five civilians including two woman and a child were alleged killed in a Russian airstrike on Zamalka, according to the Violations Documentation Centre. However Step News and others said the town also came under attack from heavy artillery fire.  

Summary

Published
15 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

13 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0382

Location

نوى, Nawa, Daraa, Syria
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
Civilians reported killed
3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident