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

8 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0576

Location

الغارية, Al Gariya, Daraa, Syria
One woman and one child were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Gariya, according to the Violations Documentation Center. All4Syria and  Shams Houran reported that Russia had used cluster bombs on the town. A local video also reports that “el Gharbiyah was targeted by Russian warplanes for secind week running with vacuum and…

Summary

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

Incident Date

8 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0572

Location

معارة الارتيق, Maarat al Arteek, Aleppo, Syria
Up to three civilians died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Maarat al Arteek, according to local sources. In a news roundup, Shaam News Network reported deaths in the town as a result of alleged Russian airstrikes: “Russian planes launched intense air raids using cluster bombs on the towns of Anadan, Hraytan, al Tamoura, Mang,…

Summary

Published
8 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
2–3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

8 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0573

Location

الدار الكبيره, Dayr al Kabira, Homs, Syria
Two non-combatants including a woman were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Dayr al Kabira, according to local media. In a news roundup, Shaam News Network reported two deaths in Dayr al Kabira as a result of alleged Russian airstrikes. Two victims were named by the Violations Documentation Center. The victims were also named…

Summary

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

Incident Date

8 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0574

Location

تلبيسة, Talbisah, Homs, Syria
One woman, Fatima al-Yousef, was reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Talbiseh according to local sources. The victim was also named by the Violations Documentation Center, Damascus Center for Human Rights and Talbisah Media Center. According to Talbisah Media Center, “many” civilians were also injured and there was “huge” destruction to private property. It…

Summary

Published
8 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

8 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0568

Location

الهلك, Huluk (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Shaam News Network reported “Russian enemy planes carried out raids on the neighbourhoods of Al Halak, Al Salheen and al Kalassa and Ain Al Tall which led to the fall of martyrs – 16 in Salheen, 2 in Halak and wounded in Al Kalassa and many other wounded.” According to LCCSY a woman and a…

Summary

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

Incident Date

8 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0569

Location

Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria
A media activist named as Zakariya Orfalli was reported killed by a single source. According to the Syrian Network, “Monday 8th February 2016 media activist Zakariya Orfalli was killed by a missile shrapnel that went into different parts of his body as he was covering the bombing by fixed wing warplanes we believe are Russian…

Summary

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