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 DatePublication Date

Incident Date

6 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0556

Location

حي المشهد, Al Mashad (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
One girl, Aziza Al Bab, aged 10, was killed in an alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Mashad according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights. No further details are currently available.

Summary

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

Incident Date

5 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0554

Location

تلبيسة, Talbisah, Homs, Syria
Four civilians included one child died in raids on Talbiseh, according to local sources. While the majority alleged that Russia was responsible, one source – Smart – says the deaths occurred as the result of shelling by Assad regime artillery. In a news roundup, Shaam News Network reported that “Russian warplanes have been carrying out…

Summary

Published
5 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
12
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

5 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0553

Location

دير الزور, Deir ez-Zor, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently reported that a woman and her child were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Takaya street. In a second report, it added: “The fires are still raging since this morning until now [9:25pm] in Al Takaya street after Russian planes targeted Al Khair Mall and Takiyat al…

Summary

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

Incident Date

5 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0555

Location

الصاخور, Al Sakhour (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Between six and ten civilians including four children and two women were killed – and up to 18 others injured –  in alleged Russian airstrikes on Sakhour according to local sources. Shaam News Network said eight civilians were killed “as a result of Russian aggression targeting the mosque in the neighborhood after Alsakhur as worshipers…

Summary

Published
5 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
6–10
Civilians reported injured
2–18
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

4 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0541

Location

حريتان, Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria
Between three and four civilians were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Hraytan, according to local sources. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, three victims including a child died when “suspected Russian warplanes” fired missiles on Hraytan. Shaam News Network published a distressing video showing “the reaction of a mother who finds her son’s…

Summary

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

Incident Date

4 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0543

Location

عندان, Anadan, Aleppo, Syria
Nine civilians including five children were killed in airstrikes on Anadan according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible, and there is some question as to exactly when certain victims died. The Shaam News Network reported that three children from one family were killed…

Summary

Published
4 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
9
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident