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 DatePublication Date

Incident Date

14 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0608

Location

كفر حمرة, Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Syria
One child was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Kafr Hamra, according to the Violations Documentation Centre. No additional details are presently known.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

14 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0611

Location

الحراك, Herak, Daraa, Syria
Six civilians including two children and one woman were killed and several others injured in airstrikes on Herak – though reports are conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. The Shaam News Network reported that five non-combatants – mostly children – died when Russian warplanes launched missiles on…

Summary

Published
14 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
6
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

14 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0609

Location

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria
Three civilians were killed and several others wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Douma, according to a single source. Shaam News Network said that “Russian aggression targeted several placed in the city several raids and then artillery targeted markets and public roads.” It added that “the bombardment also targeted one of the Central Ambulance…

Summary

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

Incident Date

13 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0604

Location

Saida, Daraa, Syria
According to the Violations Documentation Center, one adult male civilian was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Saida. The victim was also named by We All Horan, which blamed Russia. According to Qasioun, one civilian died and dozens more were injured in Russian strikes on the town.

Summary

Published
13 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

13 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0605

Location

تل رفعت, Tall Rif`at, Aleppo, Syria
Up to five civilians died in airstrikes on Tel Rifa’at, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that multiple Russian warplanes targeted Aleppo on February 13th, adding that there were 20 strikes on…

Summary

Published
13 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
4–5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

13 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0606

Location

ضاحية الكهرباء, Dahiat al Kharaba, Aleppo, Syria
Shaam News Network reported two children killed in alleged Russian airstrikes: “Russian planes continued their raids on the town of Khan Al A’ssal and Dahiat al Kahraba neighbourhood which led to the dead of two children [girls] in the latter.” Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies also said that two unidentified civilians died in a…

Summary

Published
13 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident