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
Order results by:
Incident Date Publication Date

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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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
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Incident Date

28 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0489

Location

Al Salhiya, Deir Ezzor, Syria
الصالحية
Five non-combatants reportedly died and several others were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike near the entrance to the the town of Al Salhiya, according to Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently. No further details are currently available.  

Summary

Published
28 January 2016
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Incident Date

28 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0490

Location

Ma'arasta Al Khan, Aleppo, Syria
معرسته الخان
One person was killed and three injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on civilian vehicles on the Ma’arasta al Khan road. According to Halab Today, cluster rockets were used in the attack.  

Summary

Published
28 January 2016
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