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

RS0533

Location

دير الزور, Deir ez-Zor, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Shaam News Network reported that several civilians were killed and several more injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on neighbourhoods in Deir ez-Zor: “Russian raids were carried out on the towns of Hatla, Tahtani, Ayyash, Al Husseiniya, Al Janina, Al Hessan, Al Mheimdieh, Al Khareeta, Al Baghiliya, Al mayadeen and also on neighbourhoods in Deir Ezzor…

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

RS0526

Location

العلقمية, Al A'alkamiyah, Aleppo, Syria
Two adult male civilians were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Al A’alkamiyah, according to multiple local sources. The two victims were named as Riad Jamil Ismail Deebo and Khaled Eido by the VDC, Damascus Center for Human Rights, Halab News and Elsouriya Lil E’elam,  

Summary

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

Incident Date

1 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0518

Location

كفر زيتة, Kafr Zita, Hama, Syria
One adult male civilian, Qasem Mohammad al-Hasoun, was named by the Violations Documentation Center as having been killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Kafr Zita. The Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies similarly reported the death of Mr al-Hasoun from Russian shelling.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

1 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0519

Location

كفر حمرة, Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Syria
One child was killed and 16 other civilians injured in airstrikes on Kafr Hamra, according to local sources. The Shaam News Network reported that Russian warplanes carried out raids on “the towns of Tal Rafa’at, Mare’, Anadan, Kafr Hamra, Hayyan, Ratyan, Bayanoun, Al Mallah, Ma’arasta al Khan, Ihress, Deir al Zeitoun, Bashoui and Asiya.” They…

Summary

Published
1 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
16
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

1 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0520

Location

عندان, Anadan, Aleppo, Syria
Ten civilians including four children, four women and a rescue worker were killed – and ten to 15 others injured – in alleged Russian airstrikes on Anadan, according to local sources. The Shaam News Network reported that Russian warplanes launched 20 raids with missiles and cluster bombs targeting homes in the city center of Anadan and…

Summary

Published
1 February 2016
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
10–11
Civilians reported injured
10–15
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

Incident Code

RS0521

Location

معرسة الخان, Ma'arasta al Khan, Aleppo, Syria
The Shaam News Network reported that Russian warplanes “carried out raids on the towns of the northern countryside on the towns of Tal Rafa’at, Mare’, Anadan, Kafr Hamra, Hayyan, Ratyan, Bayanoun, Al Mallah, Ma’arasta al Khan, Ihress, Deir al Zeitoun, Bashoui and Asiya.” It said that two people died in Ma’arasta Al Khan in addition to…

Summary

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