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

3 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0539

Location

تدمر, Palmyra, Homs, Syria
As many as 11 civilians were killed and 30 injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Palmyra, according to local sources. Shaam News Network reported that nine civilians, mostly women and children, were killed in a bombardment by Russian warplanes. It said there were several raids, mainly focused on the Al Wadi road. The Coordinating Committee of…

Summary

Published
3 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
10–11
Civilians reported injured
30
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

3 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0540

Location

ام صهريج, Um Sahreej, Hama, Syria
In a news roundup for February 3rd, Shaam News Network reported that “Russian craft carried out raids on the towns of Umm Sahreej, Totah, Hajila, Al Rahjan and Sarha which led to the fall of two martyrs and several wounded.” It did not indicate in which location the two victims died, and there is currently no…

Summary

Published
3 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
2
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

Incident Date

3 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0537

Location

تلبيسة, Talbisah, Homs, Syria
The Violations Documentation Center named one child, Isra Rabei Yehya, age 16, as killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Talbiseh. Talbisa posted a video depicting her funeral, but did not say who was responsible, with the speaker in the video referring only to “manic bombing by warplanes“. The Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies…

Summary

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

Incident Date

3 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0538

Location

عندان, Anadan, Aleppo, Syria
Five adult male civilians were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Anadan, according to the Violations Documentation Center. But the Syrian Network for Human Rights reported missiles belonging to the Assad regime killed at least three people including two children. This could, however, be a separate incident, as no children are listed as killed in the…

Summary

Published
3 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
3–5
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

3 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0534

Location

شتل الزيارة, Jetal Zratah, Aleppo, Syria
Two civilians including one child were reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Jetal Zratah. Kasstal Jendo Afrin reported “the death of two Kurdish civilians” and named the same victims, who it said were father and daughter. They died following an “aerial bombardment” launched by Russian aircraft. Eldorar Alshamia reported that Russian warplanes targeting Jetal…

Summary

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