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

21 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0438

Location

Ahras, Aleppo, Syria
احرص
Six civilians including two women and three children were killed and at least eight injured in an airstrike on Ihress, according to local sources. All sources blamed Russian forces for the attack, though an initial report by the Syrian Network for Human Rights said Assad regime warplanes were responsible. The Shaam News Network reported that “a new…

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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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

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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