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

17 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0418

Location

Palmyra, Homs, Syria
تدمر
A single source, Palmyra Media Centre, reported; "Russian planes bombed the outskirts of Palmyra in the al Dawa and Sha’er and Huweissass areas. Planes also bombed an area of a Bedouins’ gathering near Palmyra which led to the deaths of two people." No further details are currently available.

Summary

Published
18 January 2016
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Incident Date

16 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0408

Location

Berlheen, Aleppo, Syria
برلهين
According to Alaan TV, Russian raids killed eight civilians in Berlheen. Halab News put the death toll higher, at 13, but did not identify the warplanes responsible. LCCSY reported that 15 civilians died in strikes on Tal Maksour and Berlheen, but they did not say who was to blame. Aleppo journalist Khaledaboalmjed said that 28…

Summary

Published
16 January 2016
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Incident Date

16 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0409

Location

Al Baghiliya, Deir Ezzor, Syria
بغيلية
15 civilians including one woman and nine children were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Baghiliya, according to local sources. The Shaam News Network blamed Russia for the strikes, reporting: “Activists have denied the news published by Assad’s media that IS had committed a massacre against civilians in Al Baghiliya district.  The regime said…

Summary

Published
16 January 2016
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Incident Date

16 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0411

Location

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
الرقة‎
33 to 42 civilians including five to eight children were killed – and 35 others injured – in airstrikes on Ar Raqqah, according to multiple sources. All sources allege that Russia carried out the attacks, except for the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights who do not say who was responsible.  The Shaam News Network reported that Russian warplanes carried out…

Summary

Published
16 January 2016
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Incident Date

16 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0410

Location

Fayloun, Idlib, Syria
فيلون
12 civilians from the same family including three women and nine children were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Fayloun, according to local sources. Activists told the Shaam News Network that nine people from the “Saiid family” were killed following Russian raids. The Syrian Network for Human Rights said that 11 individuals from the same family 11 (eight children…

Summary

Published
16 January 2016
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Incident Date

16 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0412

Location

Manbij, Aleppo, Syria
منبج
Five to 13 civilians including six children were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Manbij, according to local sources. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that at least three non-combatants were killed, including two children, when suspected Russian warplanes shelled Manbij on January 16th. But the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights – also blaming…

Summary

Published
16 January 2016
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