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

12 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0376

Location

طلف, Talaf, Hama, Syria
Up to ten non-combatants were reported killed and a number wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on Talaf in the Hama countryside, according to local sources. Fatality claims ranged widely, from one to ten civilians killed. The local Hama Media Centre later issued a video report in which it interviewed local activist Abu Rayan: “Rayan: The…

Summary

Published
12 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
1–10
Civilians reported injured
3–5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0369

Location

حر بنفسه, Harbnafsa, Hama, Syria
Eight civilians were killed and a number of others wounded in Harbnafsa, according to the Shaam News Network, which blamed Russian warplanes. However Orient TV, Zaman al Wasl and Step News said that regime artillery was responsible for the deaths.  

Summary

Published
12 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
7–8
Civilians reported injured
8
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0375

Location

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria
Six civilians were killed – including two children, an elderly man and a first aider – and several wounded in an airstrike on Douma, according to the White Helmets – though they did not say who was responsible for the attack the report stated that residential areas were targeted with cluster bombs. Shaam News reported that…

Summary

Published
12 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
6
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0373

Location

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria
Between seven and 25 civilians including three children and one woman were killed and 40-41 injured in airstrikes on Manbij, according to multiple sources. While four of the sources say that Russian forces carried out the attacks, a fifth blames the Assad regime. The Shaam News Network reported that 25 non-combatants were killed and “about 40…

Summary

Published
12 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
7–25
Civilians reported injured
40–41
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0374

Location

دير العصافير, Dayr al Asafeer, Damascus, Syria
Two to three civilians including a woman and child were killed and 10 others injured in airstrikes on Dayr Al Asafeer, according to sources. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that “warplanes believed to be Russian” carried out the attacks, while the White Helmets – who put the initial death toll at two (one woman and one…

Summary

Published
12 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
10
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0370

Location

تدمر, Palmyra, Homs, Syria
One unidentified adult female was listed by the Violations Documentation Centre as killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Palmyra. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that “violent clashes are still taking place on the outskirts of al-Qaryatayn city and in the vicinity of the al-Doweh area west of Palmyra in the eastern countryside of Homs, between regime forces…

Summary

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