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 DatePublication Date

Incident Date

24 February 2016

Incident Codes

CS183 RS0669

Location

البوكمال, Al Bukamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between one and four civilians died in an airstrike on al Bukamal according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether Russia or the US-led Coalition were to blame. SyrianPC said four non-combatants died in a Russian shelling of “oil separators in the Al-Hajjana area”. Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently also…

Summary

Published
24 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
1–4
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

24 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0670

Location

البوليل, Al Bulial, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between two and four civilians died in multiple airstrikes on Al Bulial, according to local sources. While the majority of reports blamed Russia, some pointed towards the Assad regime. According to All4Syria: “Russian warplanes carried out 12 raids on a farm in the village of Albulial, resulting in a number of civilian deaths. Among them…

Summary

Published
24 February 2016
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Agriculture
Civilians reported killed
2–5
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

24 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0662

Location

اللطامنة, Ltamenah, Hama, Syria
One civilian was killed in an airstrike on Ltamenah according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime was responsible. A citizen journalist, Mohammad Hamaoui, posted a video showing a missile reportedly dropped by a Russian warplane. And according to Zaman Masdar, “Russian warplanes launched an attack…

Summary

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

Incident Date

24 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0663

Location

سراقب, Saraqib, Idlib, Syria
One to three civilians were killed and several more injured in airstrikes on Saqaib according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether the attack was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. Shaam News Network posted photos in which it said Russia was responsible. Other sources, including Alsouria and Al…

Summary

Published
24 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
1–3
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

24 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0664

Location

زملكا, Zamalka, Damascus, Syria
Five civilians including two to three children died in airstrikes on Zamalka according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. In a news roundup, Shaam News Network reported that “Russian enemy planes carried out intense strikes on the clash areas and…

Summary

Published
24 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

24 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0665

Location

أريحا, Ariha, Idlib, Syria
Between 8 and 15 civilians including one woman and one to two children died – and dozens more were injured – in airstrikes on a market in Ariha, according to multiple local sources. Reports are conflicted as to whether the attacks were carried out by Russia or the Assad regime, with one source saying that…

Summary

Published
24 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
8–15
Civilians reported injured
12–50
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident