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

4,338 – 6,384

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 4,842 separate alleged incidents.

1,145 – 1,394
children likely killed
632 – 766
women likely killed
6,544
likely injured
3,435
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
15,282 – 24,392
Locally reported civilian deaths from Russian Military actions in Syria.
4,842 seperate alleged incidents
Confirmed or Fair
4,338 – 6,384
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by Russian Military
1,344 seperate alleged incidents
Weak
727 – 848
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Weak.
457 seperate alleged incidents
Contested
10,113 – 17,043
Civilian deaths for which the reporting is assessed by Airwars as Contested.
3,026 seperate alleged incidents
Discounted
104 – 117
Civilian deaths were Discounted by Airwars after assessment.
15 seperate alleged incidents
4808 incidents
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Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

31 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0515

Location

Al Atarib, Aleppo, Syria
الأتارب
According to a single source, three civilians were injured in a Russian airstrike on al Atarib. Smart News reported that “three were wounded, including a child in a  Russian aerial bombardment on the city of Al Atareb. They were moved  to the field hospital in the city, according to our reporter.” No additional details are…

Summary

Published
31 January 2016
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Incident Date

30 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0512

Location

Al Hissan, Deir Ezzor, Syria
الحصان
Between 18 and 20 civilians including seven women and six children were killed and 14 others injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Hissan, according to local sources. The Syrian Network for Human Rights initially reported that a “massacre” by “suspected Russian warplanes” killed 18 non-combatants, including six women and seven children, but a subsequent…

Summary

Published
30 January 2016
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Incident Date

30 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0513

Location

Tall Rif`at, Aleppo, Syria
تل رفعت
One 45-year-old adult male civilian was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Tel Rifa’at, according to the Violations Documentation Center. A video report from Shaam News shows major destruction of civilian property in the town. According to the reporter “Tel Rifa’at is being exposed to a violent string of attacks. It was hit this…

Summary

Published
30 January 2016
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Incident Date

29 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0498

Location

Manbij, Aleppo, Syria
منبج
One child died when “suspected Russian warplanes” fired missiles on Manbij, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights. All 4 Syria also reported the death, and said the child’s family was injured in the attack.  

Summary

Published
29 January 2016
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Incident Date

29 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0507

Location

Qabasin, Aleppo, Syria
قباسين
Between four and 14 civilians died in alleged Russian airstrikes on Qabasein. In a news roundup the Shaam News Network reported “Russian enemy planes carried out dozens of strikes on the towns of Al Bab, Manbej, Jarablus and the town of Qabaseen causing the fall of dozens of dead and wounded in al Bab and…

Summary

Published
29 January 2016
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Incident Date

29 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0508

Location

Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria
الباب
Ten civilians including seven young brothers and sisters died in an alleged Russian strike on al-Bab. In a news roundup, the Shaam News Network reported that Russian warplanes allegedly carried out dozens of strikes on the towns on Al Bab, Manbij, Jarablus and Qabasein, leading to “dozens of dead and wounded in Al Bab and Qabaseen.“ The…

Summary

Published
29 January 2016
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