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

9 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0355

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
The Daesh agency Al A’maq produced a brief report saying that six civilians including four women and two children were killed – and 23 others injured – in a Russian air raid on Ar Raqqa. In a detailed report Alaan TV noted: “At twelve o’clock noon a Russian plane targeted the city with two raids at a…

Summary

Published
9 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
6
Civilians reported injured
23
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

8 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0351

Location

حزرما, Hazarma, Damascus, Syria
Three civilians including one child were killed in airstrikes on Hazarma, according to multiple sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether the attacks were the work of the Russians or the Assad regime. The White Helmets reported on two raids by “warplanes before sunset” which targeted a civilian home, leading to the death of three non-combatants…

Summary

Published
8 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

7 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0348

Location

أبو طلطل, Abu Taltal, Aleppo, Syria
Four named civilians from one family including a child died when Russian warplanes allegedly fired missiles on the town of Abou Taltal in Aleppo governorate.    

Summary

Published
7 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

7 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0350

Location

سفلانية, Suflaniyah, Aleppo, Syria
Six non-combatants – three named women and three children – died when Russian warplanes allegedly fired missiles on the village of al Saflaneh in the eastern suburbs of Aleppo, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights. The Damascus Centre for Human Rights Studies additionally named Sweilem Ahmed, a child, as also having died from “the…

Summary

Published
7 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
6
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

7 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0349

Location

عربين, Arbeen, Damascus, Syria
Twelve civilians were killed including two to three women and two to four children and  as many as 85 injured in airstrikes on Arbeen, according to multiple sources – although reports were conflicted as to whether Russian or Assad regime forces were responsible. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that 18 non-combatants died including…

Summary

Published
7 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
12
Civilians reported injured
80–85
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

6 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0347

Location

زملكا, Zamalka, Damascus, Syria
Up to 12 civilians including three to four children and two women were killed and dozens more injured in alleged airstrikes and an artillery bombardment on Zamalka, according to multiple sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether Russian or Assad regime forces were responsible for the deaths. Shaam News initially reported that four…

Summary

Published
6 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
12–13
Civilians reported injured
24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident