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

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

18 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0640

Location

تدمر, Palmyra, Homs, Syria
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, three civilians including two children died in “airstrikes thought to be Russian" in Palmyra, Homs. Sinnnews reported that “four were wounded and a child had his leg amputated while a man was seriously injured in Russian attacks on Palmyra.” The Violations Documentation Center named one victim (a…

Summary

Published
18 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
1–3
Civilians reported injured
4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0638

Location

الصاخور, Al Sakhour (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Up to five civilians including three children died in an airstrike on the Al Sakhour neighborhood in Aleppo according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible. Al Jazeera reported that four civilians from the same family were killed in a Russian raid. Baladi also…

Summary

Published
17 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
4–5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0639

Location

تل الضمان‬, Tal al Daman, Aleppo, Syria
Three civilians including two children died in an alleged Russian airstrikes on Tal al Dhaman, according to local sources. However Mr Ramadan’s death was also reported for Fbruary 16th, likely making this a double reporting. DCHRS reported the death of Hameed Radaman from a Russian strike. It also said that his son was killed, but…

Summary

Published
17 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0637

Location

الشيخ علي, Sheikh Ali, Aleppo, Syria
Three civilians including one child died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Sheikh Ali, according to local sources. Al-Arabiya blamed Russia, reporting an “unspecified number of dead including children“. Shahba Press also put the death toll at three, including a child – and also attributed the incident to Russia. According to a 40-minute programme by…

Summary

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

Incident Date

17 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0636

Location

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria
Between four and ten civilians died in alleged multiple Russian airstrikes on Al Bab, according to local sources. Asharq Al-awsat reported that ten civilians were killed, though didn’t say who was responsible for the strikes. Dummar media office said Russian warplanes had carried out six raids but didn’t provide casualty numbers. However, a tweet by…

Summary

Published
17 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
4–10
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident