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

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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Incident Date

28 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0491

Location

Al Ghantu, Homs, Syria
الغنطو
Eleven civilians died including three women and seven children in alleged Russian raids on Al Ghantu, according to local sources. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that “warplanes believed to be Russian” killed 11 civilians, including three women and seven children. They said that a man and his wife and three of their children were among those killed. The…

Summary

Published
28 January 2016
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Incident Date

28 January 2016

Incident Codes

CS169 RS0492

Location

Ajajah, Al Hassakah, Syria
عجاجا
Up to 15 civilians were killed including two children, following an airstrike on the village of Ajajah. The attack was initially attributed to the Coalition. However later reports blamed the deaths on Russia. According to the Syrian Observatory “Two children and a man were killed and others injured in bombing by warplanes believed to be…

Summary

Published
28 January 2016
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Incident Date

28 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0493

Location

Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria
الباب
Several civilians were killed as a result of alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Bab and the surrounding area. The Syrian Network put the death toll at six – five children and a woman. Zaiton reported a much higher figure: “Local sources confirmed that 14 martyrs fell during the Russian raids with the wounding of at…

Summary

Published
28 January 2016
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Incident Date

28 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0494

Location

Kafr Takharim, Idlib, Syria
كفر تخاريم
15 civilians including two to three women and one to three children were killed and 20 others injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafr Takharim, according to two local sources. Activists told the Shaam News Network that more than 15 were killed and 20 wounded when Russian warplanes targeted a nearby mosque. They added that residential neighbourhoods were targeted…

Summary

Published
28 January 2016
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