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

21 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0653

Location

عنجارة, Anjara, Aleppo, Syria
Up to seven civilians including three children and one woman died and 50 more were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes with cluster bombs on Anjara, according to local sources. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported: “Six citizens (including 2 citizen women and two children) were killed and injured when warplanes believed to be Russian…

Summary

Published
21 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
5–7
Civilians reported injured
2–50
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

20 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0650

Location

Korin, Idlib, Syria
One male civilian died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Korin, according to the Violations Documentation Centre. The victim was also named by other sources – who blamed Russia as well. However, according to JisrTV, five civilians died in Russian raids in the city of Idlib – though this may be a separate incident.  

Summary

Published
20 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
1–6
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

20 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0651

Location

أبو الظهور, Abu al Duhur, Idlib, Syria
One 15-year-old girl, was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Abu Dhuhur, according to the Violations Documentation Center. However, according to Smart News Agency, the regime carried out a raid on the town.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

19 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0643

Location

العرضي, Al A'ardi (Deir ez-Zor), Deir Ezzor, Syria
Twelve civilians died, including seven from the same family, in alleged Russian airstrikes on the Al A’ardi neighbourhood according to local sources. Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently reported 12 deaths in two Russian raids, while Shaam News Network said Russian warplanes “targeted civilians’ homes directly“. Both Al Jazeera and Alsory__Alhor also reported Russian strikes,…

Summary

Published
19 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
12
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

19 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0641

Location

الحصان, Al Hissan, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One civilian was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on a bakery in the village of Al Hissan, according to a single source. Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently reported: “The young man Bashar Mohammad al Khaled from the village of al Jneina was martyred after Russian planes targeted al Sultan bakery in the village…

Summary

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

Incident Date

19 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0644

Location

تلبيسة, Talbisah, Homs, Syria
Three to four civilians including two children were killed in airstrikes on Talbiseh, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible. Shaam News Network said that three civilians died and several were injured – “most of them  children” – in Russian raids, while a…

Summary

Published
19 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Civilians reported injured
12–20
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident