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

4,338 – 6,384

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 4,842 separate alleged incidents.

1,145 – 1,394
children likely killed
632 – 766
women likely killed
6,544
likely injured
3,435
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
15,282 – 24,392
Locally reported civilian deaths from Russian Military actions in Syria.
4,842 seperate alleged incidents
Confirmed or Fair
4,338 – 6,384
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by Russian Military
1,344 seperate alleged incidents
Weak
727 – 848
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Weak.
457 seperate alleged incidents
Contested
10,113 – 17,043
Civilian deaths for which the reporting is assessed by Airwars as Contested.
3,026 seperate alleged incidents
Discounted
104 – 117
Civilian deaths were Discounted by Airwars after assessment.
15 seperate alleged incidents
4808 incidents
Order results by:
Incident Date Publication Date

Incident Date

6 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0863

Location

Al Oummal (Deir ez-Zor), Deir Ezzor, Syria
حي العمال
One woman died and several other civilians were injured in an airstrike on Al Oummal in Deir ez-Zor, according to local sources – though it was unclear from reports whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime. Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently named one of the victims “following the insane Russian bombardments…

Summary

Published
6 June 2016
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Incident Date

6 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0866

Location

Al Shuhail, Deir Ezzor, Syria
الشحيل
Between three and six civilians including at least two children and one woman died in a airstrike on Al Shuhail, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible. Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently put the death toll at six. Some of their reports…

Summary

Published
6 June 2016
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Incident Date

5 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0862

Location

Muhassan, Deir Ezzor, Syria
الموحسن
The Shaam News Network reported that several civilians had been killed and wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Mohassan in Deir ez-Zor. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that “warplanes” had carried out raids in the area, but neither identified them nor provided casualty figures.

Summary

Published
5 June 2016
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Incident Date

5 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0861

Location

Sarmin, Idlib, Syria
سرمين
One civilian died in an airstrike on Sarmin, according to local media – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime. LCCSY reported that one civilian died and several more were injured by Russian warplanes. Baladi was among other sources that pointed towards Russia, but provided…

Summary

Published
5 June 2016
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Incident Date

5 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0860

Location

Idlib, Idlib, Syria
إدلب
Between five and 50 non-combatants including two women died and up to 150 more were injured in multiple airstrikes on different targets in the city of Idlib, according to local media – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime. LCCSY attributed the incident to Russia, with…

Summary

Published
5 June 2016
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Incident Date

5 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0859

Location

Horat al Jariyat, Raqqa, Syria
هورة الجريات
According to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently, two civilians died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Horat al Jariya. The Shaam News Network also blamed Russia, but did not provide casualty numbers. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights put the death toll at three but didn’t identify the warplanes responsible.

Summary

Published
5 June 2016
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