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

7 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0877

Location

دارة عزة, Darat Izza, Aleppo, Syria
The Violations Documentation Center, reported one girl killed in an alleged Russian airstrikes on Darat Izza. All4Syria and A_siba also blamed Russia, though the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights did not identify the culprit.

Summary

Published
7 June 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

7 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0878

Location

الموحسن, Muhassan, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Five civilians including two or three women and one child died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Muhassan, according to local sources. Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently named two female victims and alleged "they were killed in Russian Raids". Gulfeyes named two additional victims (though did not identify the warplanes responsible). Additionally, LCCSY reported on June 11th that…

Summary

Published
7 June 2016
Civilians reported killed
5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

6 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0865

Location

‏العشارة‬, Al Asharah, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between 17 and 35 civilians including eight children and two women died and up to 40 others were injured in airstrikes on a popular market and a mosque in Al Asharah town and the Al Hannoush neighbourhood, according to multiple local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was an attack by Russia…

Summary

Published
6 June 2016
Civilians reported killed
17–35
Civilians reported injured
10–45
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

6 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0866

Location

الشحيل, Al Shuhail, Deir Ezzor, Syria
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
Civilians reported killed
3–6
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

6 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0863

Location

حي العمال, Al Oummal (Deir ez-Zor), Deir Ezzor, Syria
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
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

6 June 2016

Incident Code

RS0867

Location

السخنة, As Sukhnah, Homs, Syria
Five children died in airstrikes on Asl Sukhnah, according to two local sources. The Shaam News Network reported that “warplanes believed to be Russian” struck civilians homes killing five individuals, most of them children in dawn raids. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Russian strikes killed five children, three of whom were siblings.…

Summary

Published
6 June 2016
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident