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

30 March 2016

Incident Code

RS0750

Location

Douma, Damascus, Syria
دوما
Shaam News Network reported that one civilian died and several others were wounded in a Russian strike in Douma: “Two civilians were martyred in Al Marj area in Russian raids and one was martyred and others wounded in Douma.” However, other sources report that this was a regime action. The Syrian Network for Human Rights…

Summary

Published
30 March 2016
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Incident Date

26 March 2016

Incident Code

RS0748

Location

Palmyra, Homs, Syria
تدمر
One unidentified civilian male was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Palmyra, according to the Violations Documentation Center. Activists told Shaam News Network that Russian warplanes targeted a bus carrying passengers from Damascus to Deir ez-Zor “near the third stop near Palmyra, which led to the death of one civilian and several wounded.” Syriapost1…

Summary

Published
26 March 2016
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Incident Date

26 March 2016

Incident Code

RS0747

Location

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
الرقة‎
The Violations Documentation Center named two civilians, Zahra Fihan, and her son Mohammad Abdullah al-Rashed, as killed in an alleged Russian airstrikes on Raqqa. The victims were also named by Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently, which blamed Russia.  

Summary

Published
26 March 2016
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Incident Date

23 March 2016

Incident Code

RS0746

Location

Jisreen, Damascus, Syria
جسرين
Two civilians died in an airstrike on Hasreen, eastern Ghouta, according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible. According to the Shaam News Network, the raids were “launched by a Russian Sikhoi 24“. The network reported: “Activists said the shelling today focused on the…

Summary

Published
23 March 2016
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Incident Date

23 March 2016

Incident Code

RS0744

Location

Palmyra, Homs, Syria
تدمر
One young adult male civilian died in an airstrike on Palmyra according to local sources, though reports are conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. Qasioun reported: Palmyra City was the target this morning of intensive raids by Russian aviation, amounting to about 35 strikes, in which aircraft…

Summary

Published
23 March 2016
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Incident Date

23 March 2016

Incident Code

RS0745

Location

Deir ez-Zor, Deir Ezzor, Syria
دير الزور
Ten civilians including four children died in airstrikes on Deir ez-Zor, according to local sources. Most reports blame the Assad regime. Shaam News said the strikes had been carried out by “Syrian and Russian planes”. It reported 20 injured non-combatants in addition to the ten killed. However, both Step News Agency and Baladi said that…

Summary

Published
23 March 2016
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