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

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

RS0687

Location

كفر حمرة, Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Syria
Seven to fifteen civilians including three children and two women were killed and ten more injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafr Hamra, according to local sources. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that “alleged Russian warplanes shelled the residential houses in Kafr Hamra town in northern Aleppo suburbs which killed 7 individuals including…

Summary

Published
26 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
7–15
Civilians reported injured
10
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0686

Location

دارة عزة, Darat Izza, Aleppo, Syria
Nine civilians including three children and three women died in an airstrike on Darat Izza, according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether Russia or the regime were responsible. Shaam News Network reported that “a family made up of three people was burnt to death  in the town of Darat Izza…

Summary

Published
26 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
9
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0684

Location

حرستا, Harasta, Damascus, Syria
One child was reported killed in Harasta, according to local sources. Most reports blamed regime shelling: however one source said that he was killed in a Russian airstrike. Syria2011 reported that “Abdur-Rahim Al-Telli was killed due to mortar shelling in Harasta in Tishreen Street.“ The victim was also named by Syrian Human Rights Committee. Qasioun…

Summary

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