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

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

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

30 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0513

Location

تل رفعت, Tall Rif`at, Aleppo, Syria
One 45-year-old adult male civilian was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Tel Rifa’at, according to the Violations Documentation Center. A video report from Shaam News shows major destruction of civilian property in the town. According to the reporter “Tel Rifa’at is being exposed to a violent string of attacks. It was hit this…

Summary

Published
30 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
9
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

30 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0512

Location

الحصان, Al Hissan, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between 18 and 20 civilians including seven women and six children were killed and 14 others injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Hissan, according to local sources. The Syrian Network for Human Rights initially reported that a “massacre” by “suspected Russian warplanes” killed 18 non-combatants, including six women and seven children, but a subsequent…

Summary

Published
30 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
18–20
Civilians reported injured
14–35
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

29 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0503

Location

محيميدة, Mahimideh, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Four civilians died in an alleged Russian raid on Mahimideh, according to local sources. Three victims were named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently including one unidentified person.      

Summary

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

Incident Date

29 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0504

Location

الخريطة, Al Khareeta, Deir Ezzor, Syria
LCCSY said that warplanes targeted the village of Khareeta with an airstrike, but did not identify the planes. They did not mention any casualties. According to DeirEzzor 24, one man was injured in an alleged Russian strike on the village. No further details are currently available.  

Summary

Published
29 January 2016
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident