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

15 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0624

Location

الشدادي, Al Shadadi, Al Hassakah, Syria
Reported airstrikes by the Coalition or possibly Russia on al Shadadi between midnight and dawn struck a bakery in the city killing at least 15 civilians, according to multiple reports. Shaam News and the Syrian Network said the civilians died in a Coalition strike as they queued to buy bread at an auto bakery, although…

Summary

Published
15 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
15–28
Civilians reported injured
15–24
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition, Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

15 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0622

Location

الحامدية, Al Hamidiya hospital, Idlib, Syria
In a separate incident from the attacks on the National Hospital and the hospital for women and children (listed above for February 15th), between 13 and 26 civilians including up to seven women and at least two children died in airstrikes on the Médecins Sans Frontière (MSF) hospital at Al Hamidiya, according to multiple sources…

Summary

Published
15 February 2016
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
16–26
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

15 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0620

Location

أبو الظهور, Abu al Duhur, Idlib, Syria
Between four and seven civilians including three children were killed and several other civilians injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Abu al Duhur, according to local sources. Shaam News Network put the number killed at four and said the victims were all from the same family. But other sources – also blaming…

Summary

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

Incident Date

15 February 2016

Incident Codes

CS174 RS0621

Location

مَعَرَّة النُّعْمَان, Maarat al Numan, Idlib, Syria
The Russian government accused the Coalition of killing nine civilians and injuring 26 in an airstrike on an MSF hospital at Maarat al Numan. This was later denied, with a Coalition report insisting “No Coalition strikes were conducted on that day in the geographic area of the reported civilian casualties.” According to a document and…

Summary

Published
15 February 2016
Infrastructure
Healthcare, Education
Civilians reported killed
3–9
Civilians reported injured
26
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition, Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

15 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0619

Location

حر بنفسه, Harbnafsa, Hama, Syria
Two or three civilians were killed in airstrikes on Harbnafsa according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the regime. Shaam News Network said that  Russian warplanes launched “intensive air raids on the town” in the morning. Activists documented eight strikes, leading to two…

Summary

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

Incident Date

15 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0617

Location

أعزاز‎, A`zaz, Aleppo, Syria
Between nine and 14 civilians including two children and one women were killed and 30 others injured in airstrikes on a children’s and women’s hospital in Azaz, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. Activists told Shaam News Network that…

Summary

Published
15 February 2016
Infrastructure
Healthcare, Education
Civilians reported killed
9–14
Civilians reported injured
30
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident