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

29 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0700

Location

دير الزور, Deir ez-Zor, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One male civilian died when an alleged Russian airstrike targeted the Homs road in Deir ez-Zor, according to the Violations Documentation Centre and Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently. LCCSY reported that “Amir Ismaeil al-Harbek from Deir Ezzour city was martyred as Russian warplanes launched an airstrike on a vehicle carrying workers going to an…

Summary

Published
29 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

29 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0699

Location

رسم عبود, Rasm Aabed, Aleppo, Syria
One adult male civilian was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on the village of Rasm Aabed, according to the Violations Documentation Centre. No further details are currently available.  

Summary

Published
29 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

29 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0701

Location

الحميدية, Hamidiya (Deir ez-Zor), Deir Ezzor, Syria
Three or four civilians were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Hamidiya, according to local sources. Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently said two homes were destroyed killing 2 adult males.The victims were also named by the Violations Documentation Centre. According to Alarabay, tens of other civilians were also injured. All4Syria reported that Russia had…

Summary

Published
29 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Civilians reported injured
10
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

28 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0695

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
One adult male was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Raqqa, according to local sources. The victim was listed by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently. He was also listed by Syria2011 and Syrian Human Rights Committee, both of whom blamed Russia.  

Summary

Published
28 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

28 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0698

Location

جسر الشغور, Jisr al Shughour, Idlib, Syria
A pregnant woman was killed and at least 12 civilians injured, most of them children, in airstrikes on Jisr al-Shughour, according to local sources. Two alleged that Russia was responsible. However a third (the Syrian Network for Human Rights) blamed the Syrian regime. Shaam News reported that Russian warplanes carried out air raids targeting the…

Summary

Published
28 February 2016
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
12–21
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

28 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0697

Location

جمعية الهادي, Jamiyat al Hadi, Aleppo, Syria
Up to 13 civilians including three or four children died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Jamiyat al Hadi and Babis, according to multiple local sources. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said seven civilians including three women and four children were killed in an aerial bombardment, adding that there were reports of five others…

Summary

Published
28 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
7–13
Civilians reported injured
2–20
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident