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 DatePublication Date

Incident Date

26 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0688

Location

تلبيسة, Talbisah, Homs, Syria
One 57-year-old woman died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Talbiseh and at least four other civilians were injured, according to local sources. Shaam News Network reported: “Two hours before the start of the ceasefire Russian planes carried out violent and intense air raids on the town of Talbissa causing the death of one woman and…

Summary

Published
26 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0678

Location

منق; منّغ, Meng, Aleppo, Syria
One woman, was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Meng, according to the Violations Documentation Centre. The 44-year-old victim was also named by the Syrian Human Rights Committee.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

26 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0689

Location

السلوم, Al Saloom, Aleppo, Syria
The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that eight civilians from a single family – including three children and two women – died when Russian warplanes allegedly shelled residential homes in Al Saloom. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said “six people were killed in warplane shelling in Al-Saloom village – five were from one…

Summary

Published
26 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
6–8
Civilians reported injured
10–15
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0690

Location

معارة الأرتيق, Maarat Artik, Aleppo, Syria
Between two and five civilians including two children died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Maarat Artik, according to local sources. Multiple reports blamed Russia: Akhbar Alaan put the death toll at three including one child with four more civilians injured. AMC said that as many as five non-combatants perished. According to Syrian Press Centre,…

Summary

Published
26 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
2–5
Civilians reported injured
2–4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0679

Location

Jobar neighborhood, Damascus, Damascus, Syria
Two adult male civilians died in alleged Russian airstrikes on the Jobar neighborhood of Damascus, according to local sources. Smart reported nine Russian raids on the neighbourhood, while a tweet from FS_Muslim put the number of raids as high as 12. Baladi said two civilians died at the hands of Russia. Some other sources did not…

Summary

Published
26 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0680

Location

Douma, Damascus, Syria
Eleven civilians including six children and three women were killed and up to 60 others injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Douma, according to local sources. Shaam News Network reported that “intense air raids by the Russian enemy on civilian homes in the city of Douma led to the fall of many wounded including women…

Summary

Published
26 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
11
Civilians reported injured
20–60
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident