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

22 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0444

Location

Al Jneina, Deir Ezzor, Syria
الجنينة
Two women were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on the village of Al Jneina, according a a single source, Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently. No further details are currently available.  

Summary

Published
22 January 2016
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Incident Date

22 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0446

Location

Sarmada, Idlib, Syria
سرمدا
Up to eight civilians including one child were killed and 12 others injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on Sarmada, according to local sources. The Syrian Observatory for Human rights said that eight people (including a child and three people from the Palmyra area, a commander of a checkpoint belonging to a rebel faction and other fighters) were…

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

RS0431

Location

Al Salam hospital, Raqqa, Syria
مشفى السلام
One civilian died following an alleged airstrike on Al Salam hospital in Raqqa, according to two local sources. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently reported the death of Izzo Hamid Al Hammash. The victims was also named as killed in a Russian strike by Raqqa Post.  

Summary

Published
21 January 2016
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Incident Date

21 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0442

Location

Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria
الباب
Between three and five civilians died and dozens more were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Bab, according to local sources. The Syrian Press Centre reported that three civilians died in four Russian raids on residential neighbourhoods, leaving dozens more wounded, including women and children. A later report put the death toll at five,…

Summary

Published
21 January 2016
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Incident Date

21 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0440

Location

Al Mashlad (Ar Raqqah), Raqqa, Syria
المشلب
Six civilians including four children died in strikes on the Al Mashlab neighbourhood of Raqqa, according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether Russia or the regime carried out the attacks, while some sources do not identify those responsible. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently named civilians as having been killed by…

Summary

Published
21 January 2016
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