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

13 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0383

Location

مسكنة, Maskanah, Aleppo, Syria
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
Civilians reported killed
2–4
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0381

Location

قاضي عسكر, Qadi A'skar, Aleppo, Syria
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
Civilians reported killed
7–10
Civilians reported injured
12
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0380

Location

مَعَرَّة النُّعْمَان, Maarat al Numan, Idlib, Syria
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
Civilians reported killed
31–34
Civilians reported injured
40
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0379

Location

سرمدا, Sarmada, Idlib, Syria
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
Civilians reported killed
26
Civilians reported injured
24–100
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0378

Location

سراقب, Saraqib, Idlib, Syria
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
Civilians reported killed
4–5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0377

Location

معرسة الخان, Ma’arasta Al Khan, Aleppo, Syria
At least 10 civilians including three women and two children were killed and ten to 12 wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on Ma’aratsa Al Khan, according to multiple sources. The targets appear to have included a civilian bus. The Shaam News Network reported that “Russian aircraft committed a massacre in the town of Ma’arasta Al Khan…

Summary

Published
12 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
10–22
Civilians reported injured
10–12
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident