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

19 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0645

Location

كفر ناها, Kafr Naha, Aleppo, Syria
One to two civilians including a child were killed in alleged Russian strikes with cluster bombs, according to local sources. The Syrian Network for Human Rights and Violations Documentation Center named a three year old child as a victim. However, the White Helmets said that one man was killed and six other non-combatants injured when Russian…

Summary

Published
19 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
6
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

19 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0646

Location

الشيخ عيسى, Sheikh Issa, Aleppo, Syria
Between four and seven civilians including three children and two women were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Sheikh Issa, according to a single source. The Syrian Network for Human Rights initially reported that “The children Ibrahim, Hussein, and Samer Amer Hameidi and their father died in suspected Russian warplanes shelling on Al Sheikh Eisa…

Summary

Published
19 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
4–7
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

19 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0647

Location

مسكنة, Maskanah, Aleppo, Syria
Two children died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Maskanah, according to local sources. The Violations Documentation Center listed two unidentified male children as killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Maskanah. Syria News Desk reported that “two children from the same family died and four wounded in a Russian airstrikes which also caused the…

Summary

Published
19 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

19 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0648

Location

عندان, Anadan, Aleppo, Syria
One female nurse died in an alleged Russian airstrike on a hospital in Anadan, according to local sources. According to SHRC, “Iman Layla, died after being wounded in Russian airstrikes which targeted the hospital in Anadan.” Halab Today said the victim was a nurse, while Micro Syria reported that many civilians were injured in the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

19 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0642

Location

نوى, Nawa, Daraa, Syria
Five to seven civilians died in a strike on Nawa, according to local sources – though only one source blamed Russia while the other suggested that artillery may have been responsible for the death of one of the victims. Dara Martyrs named six victims. The VDC also named one victim.  

Summary

Published
19 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
5–7
Civilians reported injured
1–6
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

19 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0649

Location

علما, Alma, Daraa, Syria
One male civilian, Naser Mohammad Barakat al Hariri, died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Alma, according to the Violations Documentation Center. Syria2011 also named the 55-year-old victim and blamed Russia. But Martyrs of Dara and Dara Martyrs didn’t identify the warplanes responsible for his death. Mr al Hariri was also named by some sources…

Summary

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