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

2 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0528

Location

عندان, Anadan, Aleppo, Syria
Between six and eight civilians were killed including two to four children, one to two women and two members of the Red Crescent – and dozens more injured – in alleged Russian airstrikes on Anadan, according to local sources. Shaam News Network reported that Russian forces launched “about 50 airstrikes” which including cluster munitions, targeting…

Summary

Published
2 February 2016
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
8
Civilians reported injured
24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

2 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0529

Location

حريتان, Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria
Between 12 and 15 civilians were killed including up to eight children and three women – and dozens more injured – in alleged Russian airstrikes on Hraytan, according to local sources. Shaam News Network posted a distressing video showing the body of a dead child “following raids by Russian craft“. A brief subsequent report said…

Summary

Published
2 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
12–15
Civilians reported injured
24–50
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

Incident Code

RS0530

Location

Deir Hafer, Al-Bab, Tadeef, Aleppo, Syria
In a news roundup, Shaam News Network reported that “Russian planes carried out strikes on the towns of Deir Hafer, Al Bab and Tadef which led to the fall of martyrs and wounded amongst the civilians.” Alburaq Media also mentioned “several raids” on these locations but said it had “no information on the extent of the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

2 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0525

Location

نوى, Nawa, Daraa, Syria
Seven civilians including two children and one woman were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Nawa, according to the Violations Documentation Center. However, the Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that regime warplanes fired on Nawa, killing at least five people including one woman.  

Summary

Published
2 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
7
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

2 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0532

Location

برج قاعي, Burj Kai, Homs, Syria
Between seven and nine victims, including up four women and up to four children were killed – and several others injured – and several injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Burj Kai according to multiple sources. Shaam News Network initially reported that three Russian warplanes launched rocket attacks on several villages in the countryside of…

Summary

Published
2 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
7–9
Civilians reported injured
2–10
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

2 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0531

Location

غرناطة, Garnata, Homs, Syria
Shaam News Network reported that Russian warplanes allegedly carried out raids “on the town of Al Rastan and the villages of Um Sharshouh and Ghirnata as well as the village of Burj Kai“. It said one civilian was killed and “several” others wounded in Garnata. Smart News reported that “Russian warplanes launched two raids on the village of…

Summary

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