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

21 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0652

Location

Al Hissan, Deir Ezzor, Syria
الحصان
Akhbar.net reported that one non-combatant died in a Russian strike on the town of al Hissan. The VDC named one adult male, as killed in a Russian strike. However, Gulf Eye News  and Akbaralan News reported deaths in nearby Hatlah from Russian strikes, but none in Al Hissan.  

Summary

Published
21 February 2016
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Incident Date

20 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0650

Location

Korin, Idlib, Syria
One male civilian died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Korin, according to the Violations Documentation Centre. The victim was also named by other sources – who blamed Russia as well. However, according to JisrTV, five civilians died in Russian raids in the city of Idlib – though this may be a separate incident.  

Summary

Published
20 February 2016
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Incident Date

20 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0651

Location

Abu al Duhur, Idlib, Syria
أبو الظهور
One 15-year-old girl, was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Abu Dhuhur, according to the Violations Documentation Center. However, according to Smart News Agency, the regime carried out a raid on the town.  

Summary

Published
20 February 2016
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Incident Date

19 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0643

Location

Al A'ardi (Deir ez-Zor), Deir Ezzor, Syria
العرضي
Twelve civilians died, including seven from the same family, in alleged Russian airstrikes on the Al A’ardi neighbourhood according to local sources. Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently reported 12 deaths in two Russian raids, while Shaam News Network said Russian warplanes “targeted civilians’ homes directly“. Both Al Jazeera and Alsory__Alhor also reported Russian strikes,…

Summary

Published
19 February 2016
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Incident Date

19 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0641

Location

Al Hissan, Deir Ezzor, Syria
الحصان
One civilian was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on a bakery in the village of Al Hissan, according to a single source. Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently reported: “The young man Bashar Mohammad al Khaled from the village of al Jneina was martyred after Russian planes targeted al Sultan bakery in the village…

Summary

Published
19 February 2016
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Incident Date

19 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0644

Location

Talbisah, Homs, Syria
تلبيسة
Three to four civilians including two children were killed in airstrikes on Talbiseh, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible. Shaam News Network said that three civilians died and several were injured – “most of them  children” – in Russian raids, while a…

Summary

Published
19 February 2016
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