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

22 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0450

Location

Al Tabiya Jazeera, Deir Ezzor, Syria
الطابية جزيرة
Between 34 and 50 civilians including up to eight women and 16 children were killed and more than 60 injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Tabiya Jazeera, according to multiple sources. An initial report by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently said that Russian two strikes led to the deaths of four civilians families in their entirety. Subsequent reports put the death toll…

Summary

Published
22 January 2016
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Incident Date

22 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0445

Location

Umm Hawsh, Aleppo, Syria
أم حوش
A single source, Thefreesyria.org, named two civilians killed when Russian warplanes allegedly bombed a road near the village of Umm elhosh in the Aleppo countryside. The Syrian Network for Human Rights Tweeted an image of the child Sarah and said she died when warplanes launched several missiles near the village, though they did not identify…

Summary

Published
22 January 2016
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Incident Date

22 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0447

Location

Bab al Hawa, Idlib, Syria
الباب
Between six and 35 civilians were killed and up to 65 injured in an airstrike on Bab al Hawa, according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether the raid was the work of Russian forces or the Assad regime. The White Helmets reported that 30 non-combatants were killed and 65 injured when warplanes…

Summary

Published
22 January 2016
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Incident Date

21 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0432

Location

Al Khareeta, Deir Ezzor, Syria
الخريطة
Seven civilians including one woman and four children were killed and dozens more injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on the village of Al Khareeta, according to local sources. Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently reported that five died (one man and four children) when Russian warplanes struck the village. All4Syria, also said a family of…

Summary

Published
21 January 2016
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Incident Date

21 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0433

Location

Al Bgailieh, Deir Ezzor, Syria
البغيلية
Between two and six civilians died in an airstrike on Al Bgailieh, according to local sources – though only one source alleged that Russia was responsible. Step News Agency Tweeted that Russian strikes had hit Al Bgailieh. According to the Syria News Network, members of Daesh were “killed and wounded following clashes with the Syrian…

Summary

Published
21 January 2016
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Incident Date

21 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0434

Location

Mahimideh, Deir Ezzor, Syria
محيميدة
One adult male was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Mahimideh according to local sources. Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently reported that a Russian raid destroyed a house and that there were “many injuries“, though deaths were not mentioned. According to ANA Press, Russia warplanes “stepped up raids on the western countryside of…

Summary

Published
21 January 2016
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