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

29 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0510

Location

البورمضان, Albu Ramadan, Raqqa, Syria
Four civilians were killed and another five injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Albu Ramadan in eastern Raqqah, according to local sources. The Shaam News Network said: “coinciding with the violent attack by the Russian Aviation on Deir ez-Zor the towns of Raqqa were not spared.” They reported on a “new massacre” on Albu Ramadan which targeted…

Summary

Published
29 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

29 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0502

Location

الحسينية, Hussainiya, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One woman was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Hussainiya, according to Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently and others.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

29 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0500

Location

الصالحية, Al Salhiya, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In a brief news report, the Syrian Network for Human Rights said that at least seven civilians including two children died when a “suspected Russian warplane” fired missiles on the village of Al Salhiya.  

Summary

Published
29 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
7–9
Civilians reported injured
24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

29 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0501

Location

الموظفين, Al Mouwathafeen (Deir ez-Zor), Deir Ezzor, Syria
Three or four non-combatants died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Mouwathafeen village, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights and others. However Al Khabar TV reported that “three children from the Maslawi family, including two brothers, were killed by a mortar targeted the Al Mouwathafeen neighborhood.” Deir News Network also said the deaths…

Summary

Published
29 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

29 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0509

Location

أعزاز‎, A`zaz, Aleppo, Syria
According to the Shaam News Network, Russian forces targeted the town of Azaz with two ballistic missiles, causing the death of one civilian and injury of several others. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently published an image of a young man, who came from Raqqa and was said to have died in bombing. The source does not say which day the incident…

Summary

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

Incident Date

29 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0499

Location

حتلا, Hatla, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Two civilians were killed and three injured when the village of Hatla was allegedly targeted by Russian warplanes, according to local sources. Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently reported the death of two adult males – Bassam Al Samran and Bassel Al Samran – in a Russian raid that targeted a sweet shop “near Hilwiyat Al Badr”.

Summary

Published
29 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident