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

4 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0551

Location

مَعَرَّة النُّعْمَان, Maarat al Numan, Idlib, Syria
In a news roundup, the Shaam News Network reported deaths in Maarat al Numan, which it attributed to Russian warplanes: “Since early morning, the Russian enemy planes circled the skies of the province and launched air raids on civilian homes in the towns of Maaret al-Numan and Khan Sheikhun and Kafrtkharim and the outskirts of…

Summary

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

Incident Date

4 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0552

Location

كفر تخاريم, Kafr Takharim, Idlib, Syria
In a news roundup, the Shaam News Network reported deaths in Kafr Takharim, which they attributed to Russian warplanes: “Since early morning, the Russian enemy planes circled the skies of the province and launched air raids on civilian homes in the towns of Maaret al-Numan and Khan Sheikhun and Kafrtkharim and the outskirts of Sarakeb…

Summary

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

Incident Date

4 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0546

Location

الفردوس, Al Fardous (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
The Shaam News Network, reported that five non-combatants died in Fardous as part of “Russian aggression on different areas in Aleppo” on Thursday February 4th. The Syrian Press Center reported that Russian warplanes carried out “a number of raids on Al Mashhad and al Ferdous in the city of Aleppo, which resulted in the death…

Summary

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

Incident Date

4 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0548

Location

بعيدين, Bai'ideen, Aleppo, Syria
The Shaam News Network, reported that four civilians were killed in Bai’ideen as part of “Russian aggression on different areas in Aleppo.” Syrian Press Center also put the death toll at four and blamed Russia, while Shahba Press said Russia had carried out strikes on Bai’ideen along with other locations in Aleppo.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

4 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0549

Location

تل رفعت, Tall Rif`at, Aleppo, Syria
Two civilians died in alleged Russian airstrikes on Tel Rifa’at, according to local sources. According to Step, Russia launched three strikes on the area, while Shahba Press said one civilian died in four Russian raids. Two victims of Russian warplanes were later named by Halab News.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

4 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0547

Location

Al Shi'aar, Aleppo, Syria
According to the Shaam News Network, six non-combatants died in alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Shi’aar. SNN reported: “More than 36 martyrs fell and dozens wounded Thursday in the bombing of the Russian aggression on different areas in Aleppo. “Martyrs fell in several areas: 11 people were killed at the Al Mashhad neighbourhood and 8…

Summary

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