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

RS0677

Location

زاكية, Zakiya, Damascus, Syria
A single source, Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies, reported the death of Hatem Abu Mohammad due to “indiscriminate Russian warplane shelling“. No further details are currently available.

Summary

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

Incident Date

26 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0685

Location

حريتان, Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria
“Several” civilians were killed when Russian warplanes allegedly “carried out raids on the towns of Hraytan, Anadan, Kafr Hamra, MA’arat al Arteek and the region of Assiya,” according to the Shaam News Network. The Violations Documentation Centre reported a man died from injuries sustained by Russian shelling on Hraytan. It did not mention a date but…

Summary

Published
26 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0682

Location

Deir Al Assafir, Damascus, Syria
Between five and seven civilians – including medics – died in an alleged Russian airstrike on a hospital in Deir Al Assafir, according to local sources. Abu Ksem Deir Al Assafir published a video which reportedly showed the aftermath of a strike on a “medical hospital in Deir Al Assafir”. According to Syrian Human Rights…

Summary

Published
26 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
5–7
Civilians reported injured
5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0683

Location

Arbeen, Damascus, Syria
Between two and three civilians including one female child died in an alleged Russia airstrike on Arbeen, according to local sources. Arabstoday, Baladi, DCHRS and Smart reported Russian raids on Arbeen. Baladi said that one female child was killed. Other sources didn’t identify the warplanes responsible, while Freeqabon reported “artillery shelling”. Erbinrevo named Ismaeil Haj…

Summary

Published
26 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
2–3
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0681

Location

Khan al Sheikh, Damascus, Syria
Several civilians died and up to 20 were injured in Khan al Sheikh according to local sources – though only one explicitly blamed Russia, with the majority of others pointing to regime shelling. According to Qasioun, one civilian died in regime shelling. Smart, Orient and Khan Al Sheikh Media Centre blamed the regime, with Smart…

Summary

Published
26 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2–20
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