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

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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Incident Date

25 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0462

Location

Hayyan, Aleppo, Syria
حيان
Two children were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on the town of Hayyan, according to the Violations Documentation Centre. The children were listed as having died on January 25th. In a news roundup, the Shaam News Network reported that “Russian enemy planes carried out air raids on the city of Mare` and Tal Rifa’at and…

Summary

Published
25 January 2016
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Incident Date

25 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0460

Location

Termanin, Idlib, Syria
ترمانين
12 civilians including four to five children and five women were killed – and 20 others injured – in airstrikes on Termanin, according to multiple sources. The Syrian Network for Human Rights also said that the target of the strike, a military commander of an Islamic battalion, was a 13th victim. The Syrian Network for Human Rights…

Summary

Published
25 January 2016
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Incident Date

25 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0461

Location

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
الرقة‎
Between one and six civilians including a child died in airstrikes on Raqqa, according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether Russia or the regime were responsible. The Shaam News Network, reported that several non-combatants were killed and several more injured when warplanes “thought to be Russian” carried out airstrikes on areas within…

Summary

Published
25 January 2016
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Incident Date

24 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0459

Location

Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria
الباب
Between 13 and 19 civilians including 10 children and three women died in alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Bab, according to local sources. Syrian News Desk reported that at least 19 civilians died and more than 30 were wounded when Russian warplanes fired “cluster rockets” on the city “to coincide with helicopter dumping barrel bombs“.…

Summary

Published
24 January 2016
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Incident Date

24 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0458

Location

Tall Rif`at, Aleppo, Syria
تل رفعت
Four civilians died and 12 were injured in alleged Russian airstrike on Tel Rifa’at, according local sources. The Syrian Press Centre reported that Russia carried out four raids and that a young man was killed in addition to a number of other civilians being wounded. The Violations Documentation Centre also alleged that this was a Russian…

Summary

Published
24 January 2016
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