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

27 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0477

Location

Marj, Damascus, Syria
المرج
A single source, the White Helmets, reported that one child, named as Hussan Murad, was killed and several other civilians injured in alleged airstrikes by Russian warplanes on the Marj area of eastern Ghouta. VDC said the boy died “Due to the regime air forces’ shelling,” while the Damascus media office described 10 strikes by unspecified warplanes. According…

Summary

Published
27 January 2016
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Incident Date

27 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0469

Location

Muheet Al Sina'aa (Deir ez-Zor), Deir Ezzor, Syria
حي الصناعة السكني
According to Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently and the Violations Documentation Center, one man was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on the industrial area in the city of Deir ez-Zor.  

Summary

Published
27 January 2016
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Incident Date

26 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0466

Location

Jarjanaz, Idlib, Syria
جرجناز
Between four and five civilians including one child and three women died in airstrikes on Jarnaz, according to local sources. Five sources alleged that Russia was responsible, but a fifth – the Violations Documentation Center – blamed the Assad regime. Syria 2011 said that four died and a number were wounded when rockets were fired…

Summary

Published
26 January 2016
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Incident Date

26 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0467

Location

Ariha, Idlib, Syria
أريحا
Between eight and nine civilians including one woman were killed and nine others injured in airstrikes on a popular market in Ariha, according to local sources. While three of the sources blame Russia for the attack, a fourth (the Syrian Network for Human Rights) says that the Assad regime were responsible. Activist told the Shaam News Network that Russian…

Summary

Published
26 January 2016
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Incident Date

26 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0463

Location

Ma'arasta Al Khan, Aleppo, Syria
معرسة الخان
Two civilians – a man and a woman – were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on the road to Ma’arasta Al Khan. Radio Al Kul reported “the martyrdom of Mariam Abdullah aged 30 year from Russian Aviation targeting with rockets on the road of Ma’arasta el Khan in the northern Aleppo countryside this afternoon.”  

Summary

Published
26 January 2016
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Incident Date

26 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0464

Location

Deir ez-Zor, Deir Ezzor, Syria
دير الزور
One adult male civilian, died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Deir-ez Zor, according to the Violations Documentation Centre and the Syrian Network for Human Rights.  

Summary

Published
26 January 2016
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