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 Date Publication Date

Incident Date

16 April 2016

Incident Code

RS0760

Location

الفردوس, Al Fardous (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Multiple sources reported that up to 16 people died in airstrikes in Aleppo city. While some blamed Russia, others said the regime or armed rebel groups were responsible. LCCSY said one man was killed and five injured after Russian planes targeted the neighborhood with two dawn raids. Q0wyy also blamed Russia and reported that “Russian…

Summary

Published
16 April 2016
Civilians reported killed
8–16
Civilians reported injured
5–12
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

16 April 2016

Incident Code

RS0761

Location

دير الزور, Deir ez-Zor, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between nine and 17 civilians including one woman and two children died in airstrikes on neighborhoods of Deir Ezzor, according to local sources. While some reports allege that this was the work of Russia, one other blames the Assad regime with yet others not attributing responsibility. Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently reported that Russian…

Summary

Published
16 April 2016
Civilians reported killed
9–17
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

14 April 2016

Incident Code

RS0758

Location

دارة عزة, Darat Izza, Aleppo, Syria
One adult male civilian, Mohammed Ibrahreem Ello, was killed in an airstrike on Darat Izza according to local sources – though only one report alleged that this was a Russian strike. Aleppo News named the victim and said that he was killed by a “warplane“. According to Al-Maghrib Today, the regime was to blame: “one man…

Summary

Published
14 April 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

14 April 2016

Incident Code

RS0759

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Fourteen civilians including three children died and at least 24 people were injured in airstrikes on Raqqa, according to multiple sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether the Assad regime or Russia were responsible. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently posted images showing destruction of the city following airstrikes. It did not initially say…

Summary

Published
14 April 2016
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
14
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12 April 2016

Incident Code

RS0757

Location

الراشدية, Rashidiya (Deir ez-Zor), Deir Ezzor, Syria
Two sources named Anas Al-Kujeijeh as killed in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike in Deir Ezzour. A tweet by Deirfree blamed Russia for the raids and spoke of several wounded. However, SPC News reported that “regime forces bombed Al Huweiqa neighbourhood in the countryside of Deir al-Zour with rocket launchers which led to the death of “Anas Al Kajijah”…

Summary

Published
12 April 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12 April 2016

Incident Code

RS0756

Location

دير الزور, Deir ez-Zor, Deir Ezzor, Syria
The Violations Documentations Center named Abdulhameed Ghassan al Afeif (also known as Hamadah) as killed in an alleged Russian airstrike. However according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, he died when regime warplanes fired missiles on the Al Hamidiyeh neighborhood.  

Summary

Published
12 April 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident