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

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

Incident Date

25 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0674

Location

بابيص, Babis, Aleppo, Syria
Multiple local sources reported that Russia carried out an airstrike on Babis, killing several civilians and wounding more. Most reports did not mention deaths but said there had been a number of injured non-combatants, with Micro Syria reporting that “many” were wounded. Shahba put the number of injured at four.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

25 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0673

Location

حطلة, Hatla Tahtani, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A single source, All4Syria, reported that “:Russian aircraft carried out raids on the village of Hatla Tahtani, killing Zahra al Harbat and her husband Ahmad al Khalif“. No further details are currently available.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

25 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0676

Location

قبتان الجبل, Qabtan al Jabal, Aleppo, Syria
Local sources reported that up to 13 civilians, including an entire family of eight, died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Qabtan al Jabal, with some reports saying that a school was struck. While most sources blamed Russia, others also pointed to the involvement of regime artillery. The Shaam News Network said that eight civilians…

Summary

Published
25 February 2016
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
5–13
Civilians reported injured
7
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

25 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0672

Location

دير الزور, Deir ez-Zor, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One woman was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Kahtan hospital, according to local sources. Euphrates Post reported: “A woman was killed due to Russian warplane raid in Kahtan hospital near Hasan Al-Taha street.” Three other sources also blamed Russia for carrying out a strike near the hospital, which they said killed one female.…

Summary

Published
25 February 2016
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

25 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0675

Location

الحصان, Al Hissan, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently reported that one civilian, was killed in an airstrike at a roundabout in the village of Al Hissan – though did not say who carried out the strike. However, Shaam News Network said Russia was responsible. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “Warplane shelling thought to be…

Summary

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