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

22 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0659

Location

Douma, Damascus, Syria
دوما
According to the Violations Documentation Center one adult male, was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Douma. The VDC linked to a video by the media activist Yasser al Fawal al Doumani which includes a voiceover saying that the victim was killed by Russian warplanes. Abobian said there had been three raids by warplanes, but…

Summary

Published
22 February 2016
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Incident Date

22 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0660

Location

Palmyra, Homs, Syria
تدمر
Two adult male civilians died in a raid on Palymra according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the regime. Syria Mirror mentioned Russian shelling on the city, but didn’t provide any further details. The Syrian Human Rights Center named two victims. According to…

Summary

Published
22 February 2016
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Incident Date

21 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0653

Location

Anjara, Aleppo, Syria
عنجارة
Up to seven civilians including three children and one woman died and 50 more were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes with cluster bombs on Anjara, according to local sources. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported: “Six citizens (including 2 citizen women and two children) were killed and injured when warplanes believed to be Russian…

Summary

Published
21 February 2016
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Incident Date

21 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0654

Location

Al Nu'man, Aleppo, Syria
النعمان
Up to 15 civilians were killed in an airstrike on Al Nu’man, which all local sources attributed to Russia. Shaam News Network reported that “Russian warplanes carried out raids on the village of Al Nu’man leading to the fall of several martyrs and wounded.” And at 0’13” in a video by Halab Today, the channel…

Summary

Published
21 February 2016
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Incident Date

21 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0655

Location

Saraqib, Idlib, Syria
سراقب
One to three civilians died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Saraqib in Idlib, according to local sources. Siryahora reported that “three warplanes fired thermobaric missiles resulting death of three people and several injuries, most serious“, though didn’t identify the warplanes. Step also said three died and that one was “burned” while many were injured…

Summary

Published
21 February 2016
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Incident Date

21 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0656

Location

7km roundabout, Deir Ezzor, Syria
دوار الـ"7كم"
Four adult males died in an alleged Russian airstrike on the 7km roundabout in the Deir ez-Zor countryside, according to local sources. In a news roundup, Shaam News Network put the death toll at four and blamed Russia. The victims were named by the VDC. The victims – killed in an alleged Russian raid –…

Summary

Published
21 February 2016
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