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

20 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0422

Location

Al Qassabiya, Idlib, Syria
The Syrian Network for Human Rights, reported that at least four civilians including a girl and a woman died when “suspected Russian warplanes” fired two missiles on a school in the village of Al Qassabiya. LCCSY said that four civilians from one family died as a result of Russian strikes in Al Qassabiya. Syria2011 also named these victims –…

Summary

Published
20 January 2016
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Incident Date

20 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0423

Location

Hussainiya, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between four and seven civilians including one to two children were killed and dozens more injured in alleged Russian strikes on the village of Hussainiya, according to multiple sources. Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently reported that four non-combatants died when Russian aviation struck the village with cluster bombs. They said that the warplanes targeted “the house of Talal…

Summary

Published
20 January 2016
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Incident Date

20 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0424

Location

Al Hissan, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between five and seven civilians including two children died in an alleged Russian strike on Al Hissan, according to local sources. Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently reported on “more than 20 strikes on the western countryside of Deir Ezzor“, which included details on an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Hissan. Deir Ezzor24 said that…

Summary

Published
20 January 2016
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Incident Date

20 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0425

Location

Shaqra, Deir Ezzor, Syria
شقرة
An alleged Russian strike targeted a home where “condolences were being held“, according to SMO, killing eight civilians. Al A’an TV said six died as a result of Russian strikes, while ANA Press also attributed the incident to Russia. Four civilians were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Shaqra, according to the Violations Documentation Centre.…

Summary

Published
20 January 2016
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Incident Date

20 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0426

Location

Hazana, Idlib, Syria
حزانو
Eight civilians including four children were killed and 20 injured in an airstrike on the town of Hazana, according to multiple sources. While most sources blamed Russia for the attack, the Syrian Network for Human Rights said that it was committed by the Assad regime, while British Foreign Office told the Telegraph that they could not be certain…

Summary

Published
20 January 2016
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Incident Date

20 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0427

Location

Qorgania, Idlib, Syria
قورقانيا
One woman was killed and dozens more injured in a strike on the village of Qorgania, according to local sources. While the majority of the reports allege that Russia was responsible, another does not identify the culprits, while one source alleges that this was an attack by the Assad regime. Korkania al Hadath said that…

Summary

Published
20 January 2016
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