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
Order results by:
Incident Date Publication Date

Incident Date

15 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0392

Location

Palmyra, Homs, Syria
تدمر
One adult male civilian was killed in an alleged Russian strike in Palmyra when the car he was driving was hit. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that warplanes “believed to be Russian” carried out several intense raids which targeted areas in “al-Qaryatayn city in the southeastern countryside of Homs and other areas in the…

Summary

Published
15 January 2016
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Incident Date

15 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0390

Location

Zamalka, Damascus, Syria
زملكا
Five civilians including two woman and a child were alleged killed in a Russian airstrike on Zamalka, according to the Violations Documentation Centre. However Step News and others said the town also came under attack from heavy artillery fire.  

Summary

Published
15 January 2016
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Incident Date

15 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0395

Location

Manbij, Aleppo, Syria
منبج
One to two civilians including one child were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Manbij, according to local sources. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that one person died and others were injured in an attack by warplanes believed to be Russian. Two victims were named by the Violations Documentation Center as having died “due to Russian…

Summary

Published
15 January 2016
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Incident Date

15 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0391

Location

Dayr Hafir, Aleppo, Syria
دير حافر‎
Two to three civilians including one child were killed and seven others injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on Dayr Hafer, according to local sources. Other sources also said Russia was responsible for the death of two young men.

Summary

Published
15 January 2016
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Incident Date

15 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0394

Location

Mayer, Aleppo, Syria
ماير
One to two civilians were allegedly killed and several others injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Mayer, according to local sources. In a news roundup, Shaam News said two non-combatants died in a raid by Russian warplanes, while the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that “a person was killed when warplanes believed to be Russian bombed areas in…

Summary

Published
15 January 2016
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Incident Date

15 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0393

Location

Dayr al Asafeer, Damascus, Syria
دير العصافير
Eight to nine civilians including one to two women and two children were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Dayr al Asafeer, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and the White Helmets. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that eight non-combatants including one woman and two children were killed and others injured when “warplanes believed…

Summary

Published
15 January 2016
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