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
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Incident DatePublication 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
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Incident Date

7 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0560

Location

Anadan, Aleppo, Syria
عندان
Between three and five civilians died in alleged Russian airstrikes on Anadan, according to local sources. The victims included members of a family who had returned to Anadan to bury their two children killed in a strike on Kafr Hamra on February 7th, listed above. The Shaam News Network reported that five were killed and…

Summary

Published
7 February 2016
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Incident Date

7 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0561

Location

Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Syria
كفر حمرة
Two children, displaced from Anadan, were killed in an airstrike on Kafr Hamra, according to local sources. All reports but one blamed Russia. However the Syrian Network for Human Rights pointed to the regime (see also event below.) An eyewitness told Shahed Ayyan Halab: “A family from Anadan decided to flee to the town of…

Summary

Published
7 February 2016
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Incident Date

7 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0562

Location

Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria
حريتان
One child, named by the Violations Documentation Center as Hasan Nasser,  was killed in an airstrike on Hraytan according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that “places in Qabr al-Englizi area (tomb of the…

Summary

Published
7 February 2016
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Incident Date

7 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0563

Location

Qabasin, Aleppo, Syria
قباسين
In a news roundup, a single source, the Shaam News Network, reported that four civilians were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Qabasein. LCCSY also put the death toll at four with more wounded but did not say who was responsible, while Shahba said that there had been Russian strikes in the town but didn’t…

Summary

Published
7 February 2016
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Incident Date

7 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0564

Location

Maarat al Arteek, Aleppo, Syria
معارة الارتيق
Four civilians including two women and two children died in alleged Russian airstrikes on Maarat al Arteek, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights. Additionally, Shaam News Network reported alleged Russian strikes on the town, but did not provide casualty numbers: “They [Russia] also targeted with cluster bombs anadan city and the towns of…

Summary

Published
7 February 2016
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