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

22 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0659

Location

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria
According to the Violations Documentation Center one adult male, was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Douma. The VDC linked to a video by the media activist Yasser al Fawal al Doumani which includes a voiceover saying that the victim was killed by Russian warplanes. Abobian said there had been three raids by warplanes, but…

Summary

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

Incident Date

22 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0660

Location

تدمر, Palmyra, Homs, Syria
Two adult male civilians died in a raid on Palymra according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the regime. Syria Mirror mentioned Russian shelling on the city, but didn’t provide any further details. The Syrian Human Rights Center named two victims. According to…

Summary

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

Incident Date

21 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0654

Location

النعمان, Al Nu'man, Aleppo, Syria
Up to 15 civilians were killed in an airstrike on Al Nu’man, which all local sources attributed to Russia. Shaam News Network reported that “Russian warplanes carried out raids on the village of Al Nu’man leading to the fall of several martyrs and wounded.” And at 0’13” in a video by Halab Today, the channel…

Summary

Published
21 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
12–15
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

21 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0655

Location

سراقب, Saraqib, Idlib, Syria
One to three civilians died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Saraqib in Idlib, according to local sources. Siryahora reported that “three warplanes fired thermobaric missiles resulting death of three people and several injuries, most serious“, though didn’t identify the warplanes. Step also said three died and that one was “burned” while many were injured…

Summary

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

Incident Date

21 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0656

Location

دوار الـ"7كم", 7km roundabout, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Four adult males died in an alleged Russian airstrike on the 7km roundabout in the Deir ez-Zor countryside, according to local sources. In a news roundup, Shaam News Network put the death toll at four and blamed Russia. The victims were named by the VDC. The victims – killed in an alleged Russian raid –…

Summary

Published
21 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

21 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0652

Location

الحصان, Al Hissan, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Akhbar.net reported that one non-combatant died in a Russian strike on the town of al Hissan. The VDC named one adult male, as killed in a Russian strike. However, Gulf Eye News  and Akbaralan News reported deaths in nearby Hatlah from Russian strikes, but none in Al Hissan.  

Summary

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