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

29 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0503

Location

Mahimideh, Deir Ezzor, Syria
محيميدة
Four civilians died in an alleged Russian raid on Mahimideh, according to local sources. Three victims were named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently including one unidentified person.      

Summary

Published
29 January 2016
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Incident Date

29 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0504

Location

Al Khareeta, Deir Ezzor, Syria
الخريطة
LCCSY said that warplanes targeted the village of Khareeta with an airstrike, but did not identify the planes. They did not mention any casualties. According to DeirEzzor 24, one man was injured in an alleged Russian strike on the village. No further details are currently available.  

Summary

Published
29 January 2016
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Incident Date

29 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0510

Location

Albu Ramadan, Raqqa, Syria
البورمضان
Four civilians were killed and another five injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Albu Ramadan in eastern Raqqah, according to local sources. The Shaam News Network said: “coinciding with the violent attack by the Russian Aviation on Deir ez-Zor the towns of Raqqa were not spared.” They reported on a “new massacre” on Albu Ramadan which targeted…

Summary

Published
29 January 2016
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Incident Date

28 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0496

Location

Al Jneina, Deir Ezzor, Syria
الجنينة
Four civilians including one woman were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Jneina, according to local sources. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported a death toll of four, including one woman, in an attack by “suspected Russian warplanes“. Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently said that there had been two Russian strikes and named some…

Summary

Published
28 January 2016
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Incident Date

28 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0487

Location

Mahimideh, Deir Ezzor, Syria
محيميدة
Four civilians including a child died in alleged Russian raids on Mahimideh, according to local sources. Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently reported that alleged Russian raids killed several non-combatants and injured more, while Al Jisr TV claimed the casualty toll was as high as 25.

Summary

Published
28 January 2016
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Incident Date

28 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0488

Location

Hamidiya (Deir ez-Zor), Deir Ezzor, Syria
الحميدية
There were reports of “many victims” following alleged Russian raids on Hamidiya. No further details are available at the present time.   

Summary

Published
28 January 2016
View Incident