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
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Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

26 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0679

Location

Jobar neighborhood, Damascus, Damascus, Syria
Two adult male civilians died in alleged Russian airstrikes on the Jobar neighborhood of Damascus, according to local sources. Smart reported nine Russian raids on the neighbourhood, while a tweet from FS_Muslim put the number of raids as high as 12. Baladi said two civilians died at the hands of Russia. Some other sources did not…

Summary

Published
26 February 2016
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Incident Date

26 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0680

Location

Douma, Damascus, Syria
Eleven civilians including six children and three women were killed and up to 60 others injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Douma, according to local sources. Shaam News Network reported that “intense air raids by the Russian enemy on civilian homes in the city of Douma led to the fall of many wounded including women…

Summary

Published
26 February 2016
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Incident Date

26 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0681

Location

Khan al Sheikh, Damascus, Syria
Several civilians died and up to 20 were injured in Khan al Sheikh according to local sources – though only one explicitly blamed Russia, with the majority of others pointing to regime shelling. According to Qasioun, one civilian died in regime shelling. Smart, Orient and Khan Al Sheikh Media Centre blamed the regime, with Smart…

Summary

Published
26 February 2016
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Incident Date

26 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0682

Location

Deir Al Assafir, Damascus, Syria
Between five and seven civilians – including medics – died in an alleged Russian airstrike on a hospital in Deir Al Assafir, according to local sources. Abu Ksem Deir Al Assafir published a video which reportedly showed the aftermath of a strike on a “medical hospital in Deir Al Assafir”. According to Syrian Human Rights…

Summary

Published
26 February 2016
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Incident Date

26 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0683

Location

Arbeen, Damascus, Syria
Between two and three civilians including one female child died in an alleged Russia airstrike on Arbeen, according to local sources. Arabstoday, Baladi, DCHRS and Smart reported Russian raids on Arbeen. Baladi said that one female child was killed. Other sources didn’t identify the warplanes responsible, while Freeqabon reported “artillery shelling”. Erbinrevo named Ismaeil Haj…

Summary

Published
26 February 2016
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Incident Date

26 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0684

Location

Harasta, Damascus, Syria
حرستا
One child was reported killed in Harasta, according to local sources. Most reports blamed regime shelling: however one source said that he was killed in a Russian airstrike. Syria2011 reported that “Abdur-Rahim Al-Telli was killed due to mortar shelling in Harasta in Tishreen Street.“ The victim was also named by Syrian Human Rights Committee. Qasioun…

Summary

Published
26 February 2016
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