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

25 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0671

Location

درعا البلد, Dara al Balad, Daraa, Syria
Up to five civilians including one or two children died in an airstrike or artillery bombardment on Dara al Balad, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was a Russian strike or action by the Syrian regime. Among the sources blaming Russia were Khaled Abu Slem, Abn_Horan and Syria…

Summary

Published
25 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
1–5
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
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 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

RS0661

Location

صيدا, Saida, Daraa, Syria
Up to three civilians died in an airstrike on Saida according to local sources. All but one allege that this was a Russian airstrike. Among the sources blaming Russia were Baladi, Step, LCCSY and Dery News. However, the Syrian Network for Human Rights put the death toll at three and said that regime warplanes were…

Summary

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

Incident Date

24 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0668

Location

تلبيسة, Talbisah, Homs, Syria
One child was killed and up to 15 other civilians injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on a school in Talbiseh according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether Russia or the regime were to blame. Activists told Shaam News Network that “Russian warplanes targeted the morning the city of Talbissa…

Summary

Published
24 February 2016
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2–15
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

24 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0667

Location

الأتارب, Al Atarib, Aleppo, Syria
Between three and nine civilians including up to three children were killed in airstrikes on Al Atarib, according to local sources, though reports are conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. Shaam News Network reported that Russia warplanes targeted civilian homes  “in the vicinity of the city of…

Summary

Published
24 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
5–9
Civilians reported injured
10–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident