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

7 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0562

Location

حريتان, Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria
One child, named by the Violations Documentation Center as Hasan Nasser,  was killed in an airstrike on Hraytan according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that “places in Qabr al-Englizi area (tomb of the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

7 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0563

Location

قباسين, Qabasin, Aleppo, Syria
In a news roundup, a single source, the Shaam News Network, reported that four civilians were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Qabasein. LCCSY also put the death toll at four with more wounded but did not say who was responsible, while Shahba said that there had been Russian strikes in the town but didn’t…

Summary

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

Incident Date

7 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0559

Location

Tadif, Aleppo, Syria
Two adult male civilians were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Tadeef, according to the Violations Documentation Center. These victims were also named by Halab News and the Syrian Human Rights Committee. Shahba Press also said two non-combatants died in a Russian raid.

Summary

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

Incident Date

7 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0560

Location

عندان, Anadan, Aleppo, Syria
Between three and five civilians died in alleged Russian airstrikes on Anadan, according to local sources. The victims included members of a family who had returned to Anadan to bury their two children killed in a strike on Kafr Hamra on February 7th, listed above. The Shaam News Network reported that five were killed and…

Summary

Published
7 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
3–5
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

7 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0561

Location

كفر حمرة, Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Syria
Two children, displaced from Anadan, were killed in an airstrike on Kafr Hamra, according to local sources. All reports but one blamed Russia. However the Syrian Network for Human Rights pointed to the regime (see also event below.) An eyewitness told Shahed Ayyan Halab: “A family from Anadan decided to flee to the town of…

Summary

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

Incident Date

7 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0558

Location

Talbisah, Homs, Syria
One male child, Yahya Mohammad Qaddour, aged three, was killed in an airstrike on Talbiseh according to local sources. The Violations Documentation Center – which blamed Russian shelling for the death – linked to an extremely graphic video posted by Talbissa, which shows the dead body of the child. However, according to the Syrian Network…

Summary

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