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

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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Incident Date

21 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0441

Location

Vicinity of power directorate in Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
مديرية الكهرباء
Ten civilians including four children and three women died in alleged Russian airstrikes on the power directorate in Raqqa city, according to local sources. Syrian News Desk also blamed Russia, but did not say how many died. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that “alleged Russian warplanes shelled the vicinity of the Power Directorate…

Summary

Published
21 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

20 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0428

Location

Shaqra, Deir Ezzor, Syria
شقرة
Between six and eight civilians were killed when Russian warplanes allegedly targeted a funeral following a previous airstrike on Shaqra on January 20th. Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently reported that on the first incident in Shaqra on this day (listed above) in which “Fayez Al Shokan, five members of the Al Hayess family, Khaled…

Summary

Published
20 January 2016
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Incident Date

20 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0429

Location

Al Bayda, Latakia, Syria
البيضاء
One civilian was killed and several others injured in an airstrikes on Al Bayda, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the regime were responsible. According to the Shaam News Network, this was the work of Russia. Syria News Desk reported testimony from a villager, Omar Malawi: “The Russian…

Summary

Published
20 January 2016
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