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

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

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

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

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

31 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0515

Location

الأتارب, Al Atarib, Aleppo, Syria
According to a single source, three civilians were injured in a Russian airstrike on al Atarib. Smart News reported that “three were wounded, including a child in a  Russian aerial bombardment on the city of Al Atareb. They were moved  to the field hospital in the city, according to our reporter.” No additional details are…

Summary

Published
31 January 2016
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident