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

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

Incident Code

RS0550

Location

مرديخ, Mardikh, Idlib, Syria
In a news roundup, Shaam News reported deaths in Mardikh, 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 Sarakeb and the towns…

Summary

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

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

3 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0535

Location

حريتان, Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria
The Syrian Network for Human Rights, reported that three civilians including one woman died when “suspected Russian warplanes” fired missiles on Hraytan. Shahed A’ayan Halab reported the deaths of 5 people and the wounding of 3 others as a result of Russian bombing in Hraytan.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

3 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0536

Location

غرناطة, Garnata, Homs, Syria
The Violations Documentation Center reported that two adult male civilians, Ahmad al-Kurdi and Yehya al-Omar, were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Garnata. The Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies lists just al-Omar as a victim in Garnata, reporting that he was “killed by indiscriminate” Russian shelling. In a dispatch, Al Jisr TV reported that Garnata…

Summary

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