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 DatePublication Date

Incident Date

15 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0620

Location

Abu al Duhur, Idlib, Syria
أبو الظهور
Between four and seven civilians including three children were killed and several other civilians injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Abu al Duhur, according to local sources. Shaam News Network put the number killed at four and said the victims were all from the same family. But other sources – also blaming…

Summary

Published
15 February 2016
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Incident Date

15 February 2016

Incident Codes

CS174 RS0621

Location

Maarat al Numan, Idlib, Syria
مَعَرَّة النُّعْمَان
The Russian government accused the Coalition of killing nine civilians and injuring 26 in an airstrike on an MSF hospital at Maarat al Numan. This was later denied, with a Coalition report insisting “No Coalition strikes were conducted on that day in the geographic area of the reported civilian casualties.” According to a document and…

Summary

Published
15 February 2016
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Incident Date

15 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0622

Location

Al Hamidiya hospital, Idlib, Syria
الحامدية
In a separate incident from the attacks on the National Hospital and the hospital for women and children (listed above for February 15th), between 13 and 26 civilians including up to seven women and at least two children died in airstrikes on the Médecins Sans Frontière (MSF) hospital at Al Hamidiya, according to multiple sources…

Summary

Published
15 February 2016
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Incident Date

15 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0623

Location

Garnata, Homs, Syria
غرناطة
Up to three civilians including one girl and two women were killed in an airstrike on Garnata according to two local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether Russia or the regime carried out the attack. In a news roundup, the Shaam News Network reported that “Russian enemy planes carried out air raids…

Summary

Published
15 February 2016
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Incident Date

14 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0610

Location

Hosh Nasri, Damascus, Syria
حوش نصري
Five civilians including one child were killed in airstrikes on the town of Hosh Nasri, according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. The Shaam News Network reported that “swarms of Russian planes” flew over Eastern Ghouta, targeting towns with several…

Summary

Published
14 February 2016
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Incident Date

14 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0612

Location

Al Qaterji, Aleppo, Syria
القاطرجي
Between six and 10 civilians were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Qaterji, according to local sources. Shaam News Network reported that “swarms of Russian aircraft” continued to fly over the city of Aleppo and its surrounding countryside. Activists told SNN that Russian warplanes targeted several areas including the Al Qaterji neighborhood, where more…

Summary

Published
14 February 2016
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