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

RS0571

Location

كفر حمرة, Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Syria
In a news roundup, Shaam News Network alleged that Russian warplanes launched “intense air raids using cluster bombs on the towns of Anadan, Hraytan, al Tamoura, Mang, Tal Mssibain, Ma’arat al Arteek,Hayan, Bayanoun, Kafr Hamra, Kafr Naya, Miskan and the area of Qabr al Inglisi [the english tomb]. The raids led to the fall of…

Summary

Published
8 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
12
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

8 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0570

Location

الصالحين, Salheen (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Between 10 and 20 civilians including four to five children and three women were killed – and between 20 and 30 others injured – in alleged Russian airstrikes on Salheen according to local sources. Shaam News Network initially reported that Russian warplanes “carried out a massacre” in the Salheen neighbourhood, killing 10 civilians and injuring…

Summary

Published
8 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
10–20
Civilians reported injured
20–30
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

7 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0567

Location

الصبخة, Sabheh, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One woman, named by the Violations Documentation Center as Fatemah Naeif al Abdullah, was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Sabheh according to some local sources – though one other report said the regime was responsible. The woman was also named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently, who said she was 24-years-old. Damascus…

Summary

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

Incident Date

7 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0564

Location

معارة الارتيق, Maarat al Arteek, Aleppo, Syria
Four civilians including two women and two children died in alleged Russian airstrikes on Maarat al Arteek, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights. Additionally, Shaam News Network reported alleged Russian strikes on the town, but did not provide casualty numbers: “They [Russia] also targeted with cluster bombs anadan city and the towns of…

Summary

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

Incident Date

7 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0565

Location

طابية شامية, Tabya Shameih, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between three and four children and one woman died in alleged Russian airstrikes on Tabya Shameih, according to local sources. In a news brief, the Syrian Network for Human Rights said two victims (children) “died in suspected Russian warplanes missiles fired on Tabiyet Al Sham town in Deir Ez-Zour governorate eastern countryside, February 7, 2016.”…

Summary

Published
7 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

7 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0566

Location

البوعمر, Al Buomar, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One adult male civilian, Naji al Izbeh, was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Buomar, according to the Violations Documentation Center and other local sources – though there is some confusion among sources as to whether Russia or the regime were responsible. In an initial tweet, LCCSY said this was a strike by the…

Summary

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