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 Date Publication Date

Incident Date

6 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0557

Location

Anadan, Aleppo, Syria
عندان
One child died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Anadan, according to local sources. Shaam News Network, reported the death of one civilian and the injury of one woman in an alleged Russian airstrike on Anadan, while Shahed Ayyan Halab tweeted that one child died and other civilians were injured in Russian airstrikes. Shahba Press…

Summary

Published
6 February 2016
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Incident Date

6 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0556

Location

Al Mashad (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
حي المشهد
One girl, Aziza Al Bab, aged 10, was killed in an alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Mashad according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights. No further details are currently available.

Summary

Published
6 February 2016
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Incident Date

5 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0553

Location

Deir ez-Zor, Deir Ezzor, Syria
دير الزور
Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently reported that a woman and her child were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Takaya street. In a second report, it added: “The fires are still raging since this morning until now [9:25pm] in Al Takaya street after Russian planes targeted Al Khair Mall and Takiyat al…

Summary

Published
5 February 2016
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Incident Date

5 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0555

Location

Al Sakhour (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
الصاخور
Between six and ten civilians including four children and two women were killed – and up to 18 others injured –  in alleged Russian airstrikes on Sakhour according to local sources. Shaam News Network said eight civilians were killed “as a result of Russian aggression targeting the mosque in the neighborhood after Alsakhur as worshipers…

Summary

Published
5 February 2016
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Incident Date

5 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0554

Location

Talbisah, Homs, Syria
تلبيسة
Four civilians included one child died in raids on Talbiseh, according to local sources. While the majority alleged that Russia was responsible, one source – Smart – says the deaths occurred as the result of shelling by Assad regime artillery. In a news roundup, Shaam News Network reported that “Russian warplanes have been carrying out…

Summary

Published
5 February 2016
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Incident Date

Incident Code

RS0550

Location

Mardikh, Idlib, Syria
مرديخ
In a news roundup, Shaam News reported deaths in Mardikh, which it attributed to Russian warplanes: “Since early morning, the Russian enemy planes circled the skies of the province and launched air raids on civilian homes in the towns of Maaret al-Numan and Khan Sheikhun and Kafrtkharim and the outskirts of Sarakeb and the towns…

Summary

Published
4 February 2016
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