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

Incident Code

RS0522

Location

حيان, Hayyan, Aleppo, Syria
The Shaam News Network reported that one civilian was killed and five others injured in 15 alleged Russian airstrikes on Hayan, “focusing mostly on the eastern and southern fringes of the city.” Though other nearby raids that day reportedly employed cluster munitions, SNN did not specify if they were deployed in Hayyan. The Baladi Media Network…

Summary

Published
1 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

1 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0523

Location

معدان, Ma'adan, Raqqa, Syria
Ten civilians including one child and two women were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Ma’adan, according to local sources. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently reported that Russian airstrikes targeted the following areas of the town: “near Ma’adan garage; near Tah Kreiban school; near Al Farouq school [previously al Bourtoukala]“. According to the Syrian Observatory…

Summary

Published
1 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
10
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

1 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0524

Location

الخريطة, Al Khareeta, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between two and three civilians including one to three children were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Khareeta, according to local sources. Activists initially told Shaam News that three children were killed and more than five others were injured after Russian planes targeted Al Khareeta. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, at least two…

Summary

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

Incident Date

1 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0517

Location

غرناطة, Garnata, Homs, Syria
One male child, Reda Waleed Othman, was named by the Violations Documentation Center as having been killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Garnata. The Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies also reported the death of Othman, stating that he was killed by “indiscriminate” Russian shelling.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

31 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0516

Location

حيان, Hayyan, Aleppo, Syria
One 17-year-old male was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Hayyan using cluster munitions, according to local sources. Both the Syrian Network for Human Rights and the Violations Documentation Center blamed Russian warplanes. The White Helmets also named the victim, but did not say whether the Assad regime or Russia were responsible for the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

31 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0514

Location

حي الصالحين, Salheen (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
According to Radio Al Kul “Two [civilians] killed, including a child and several wounded with burning shops, as a result of Russian aviation targeting with rockets the shoe market in the neighborhood of # AL SALHEEN south of Aleppo.” No additional details are presently known.  

Summary

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