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

17 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0635

Location

تل نصري, Nasri, Al Hassakah, Syria
Up to five civilians including two children and possibly a woman were killed in an airstrike on Nasri, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. Hassaka’s Youth Union reported that “two orphaned children, the grandchildren of the citizen Mohammad Al…

Summary

Published
17 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
3–5
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 February 2016

Incident Codes

CS176a RS0634

Location

تل الجاير, Al Jayer, Al Hassakah, Syria
An airstrike targeted a local taxi bus killing between ten and 15 civilians including up to seven children according to sources – although there was disagreement over whether the Coalition or Russia was responsible. According to the Hassakah Youth Movement, “the Hyundai belongs to Hussein Morei Al Atiya [who died in the attack]. Mr Atiya…

Summary

Published
17 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
10–15
Civilians reported injured
5
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

16 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0629

Location

ﺣﻠﺐ, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
The Violations Documentation Center named another civilian male from Sheikh Miskeen in Daraa as a victim of “Russian air forces shelling” in Aleppo. The victim was additionally named by Syria Martrys, which also blamed Russia.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

16 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0633

Location

تل الضمان‬, Tal al Daman, Aleppo, Syria
Up to six civilians were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on southern Aleppo, according to local sources. They were named by the VDC. However according to Syria Martrys, Al-Haj Barakat (named  by the VDC) was a militant, not a civilian and died from a gun shot. It also listed Hameed Ramadan (65 years old) and…

Summary

Published
16 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
3–6
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

16 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0632

Location

الصاخور, Al Sakhour (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Six civilians including up to five children were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Sakhour, according to local sources. The Syrian Network for Human Rights initially attributed the incident to the Assad regime by posting an image of a child whom they said was wounded when regime warplanes fired on the neighborhood. However, it then…

Summary

Published
16 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
5–6
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

16 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0628

Location

أعزاز‎, A`zaz, Aleppo, Syria
One civilian, from Sheikh Miskeen in Dara’a, was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Aleppo, according to the Violations Documentation Centre. Syria Martrys also named the victim and blamed Russia.  

Summary

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