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 Date Publication Date

Incident Date

8 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0575

Location

Naemah, Daraa, Syria
النعيمة‎
The Violations Documentation Center named one adult male civilian, Samer Ali al-Manajrah, as killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Naemah. It linked to a Yaqeen Media Foundation video of the man’s funeral. The voiceover says he was killed after Russian raids targeted the town of Naemah. All4Syria also said Russia had carried out a…

Summary

Published
8 February 2016
View Incident

Incident Date

8 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0572

Location

Maarat al Arteek, Aleppo, Syria
معارة الارتيق
Up to three civilians died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Maarat al Arteek, according to local sources. In a news roundup, Shaam News Network reported deaths in the town as a result of alleged Russian airstrikes: “Russian planes launched intense air raids using cluster bombs on the towns of Anadan, Hraytan, al Tamoura, Mang,…

Summary

Published
8 February 2016
View Incident

Incident Date

8 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0573

Location

Dayr al Kabira, Homs, Syria
الدار الكبيره
Two non-combatants including a woman were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Dayr al Kabira, according to local media. In a news roundup, Shaam News Network reported two deaths in Dayr al Kabira as a result of alleged Russian airstrikes. Two victims were named by the Violations Documentation Center. The victims were also named…

Summary

Published
8 February 2016
View Incident

Incident Date

8 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0574

Location

Talbisah, Homs, Syria
تلبيسة
One woman, Fatima al-Yousef, was reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Talbiseh according to local sources. The victim was also named by the Violations Documentation Center, Damascus Center for Human Rights and Talbisah Media Center. According to Talbisah Media Center, “many” civilians were also injured and there was “huge” destruction to private property. It…

Summary

Published
8 February 2016
View Incident

Incident Date

8 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0568

Location

Huluk (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
الهلك
Shaam News Network reported “Russian enemy planes carried out raids on the neighbourhoods of Al Halak, Al Salheen and al Kalassa and Ain Al Tall which led to the fall of martyrs – 16 in Salheen, 2 in Halak and wounded in Al Kalassa and many other wounded.” According to LCCSY a woman and a…

Summary

Published
8 February 2016
View Incident

Incident Date

8 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0569

Location

Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria
A media activist named as Zakariya Orfalli was reported killed by a single source. According to the Syrian Network, “Monday 8th February 2016 media activist Zakariya Orfalli was killed by a missile shrapnel that went into different parts of his body as he was covering the bombing by fixed wing warplanes we believe are Russian…

Summary

Published
8 February 2016
View Incident