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

12 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0598

Location

داعل, Da'el, Daraa, Syria
Two civilians died and several more were injured in an airstrike on Da’el, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. According to Step News Agency, Russian warplanes carried out a raid on Da’el, killing one civilian and injuring a number…

Summary

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

Incident Date

12 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0599

Location

el Na'aymeh, Daraa, Syria
At least two civilians died and three or more were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on el Na’aymeh, according to two local sources. Alyakeen Media published a number of videos showing destruction of the town and the removal of dead and wounded bodies from the rubble. Voiceovers in videos said that the strikes were carried…

Summary

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

Incident Date

11 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0596

Location

حزوان, Hazwan, Aleppo, Syria
Four civilians (possibly from the same family) including two children and one woman were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Hazwan, according to the Violations Documentation Center. In a news roundup, Shaam news Network reported that “In the Eastern Aleppo countryside, Russian enemy planes carried out raids on the towns of al Bab, Tadef, Deir…

Summary

Published
11 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

11 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0597

Location

تدمر, Palmyra, Homs, Syria
Between two and four civilians including up to two children were killed in airstrikes on Palmyra, according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. The Violations Documentation Center said that two adult male non-combatants died as a result of Russia shelling.…

Summary

Published
11 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
3–5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

10 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0593

Location

كفر لاها, Kafr Laha, Homs, Syria
One adult female civilian, Amineh Mesheal, was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Kafr Laha, according to the Violations Documentation Center. No further details are currently available.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

10 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0592

Location

الصالحين, el Salheen, Aleppo, Syria
According to a single source, the Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies, three civilians died in an alleged Russian airstrike on the Salheen neighborhood of Aleppo. The victims were named by the Center.  

Summary

Published
10 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident