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
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Incident Date Publication Date

Incident Date

12 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0369

Location

Harbnafsa, Hama, Syria
حر بنفسه
Eight civilians were killed and a number of others wounded in Harbnafsa, according to the Shaam News Network, which blamed Russian warplanes. However Orient TV, Zaman al Wasl and Step News said that regime artillery was responsible for the deaths.  

Summary

Published
12 January 2016
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Incident Date

12 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0377

Location

Ma’arasta Al Khan, Aleppo, Syria
معرسة الخان
At least 10 civilians including three women and two children were killed and ten to 12 wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on Ma’aratsa Al Khan, according to multiple sources. The targets appear to have included a civilian bus. The Shaam News Network reported that “Russian aircraft committed a massacre in the town of Ma’arasta Al Khan…

Summary

Published
12 January 2016
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Incident Date

12 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0376

Location

Talaf, Hama, Syria
طلف
Up to ten non-combatants were reported killed and a number wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on Talaf in the Hama countryside, according to local sources. Fatality claims ranged widely, from one to ten civilians killed. The local Hama Media Centre later issued a video report in which it interviewed local activist Abu Rayan: “Rayan: The…

Summary

Published
12 January 2016
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Incident Date

12 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0375

Location

Douma, Damascus, Syria
دوما
Six civilians were killed – including two children, an elderly man and a first aider – and several wounded in an airstrike on Douma, according to the White Helmets – though they did not say who was responsible for the attack the report stated that residential areas were targeted with cluster bombs. Shaam News reported that…

Summary

Published
12 January 2016
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Incident Date

12 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0373

Location

Manbij, Aleppo, Syria
منبج
Between seven and 25 civilians including three children and one woman were killed and 40-41 injured in airstrikes on Manbij, according to multiple sources. While four of the sources say that Russian forces carried out the attacks, a fifth blames the Assad regime. The Shaam News Network reported that 25 non-combatants were killed and “about 40…

Summary

Published
12 January 2016
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Incident Date

12 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0374

Location

Dayr al Asafeer, Damascus, Syria
دير العصافير
Two to three civilians including a woman and child were killed and 10 others injured in airstrikes on Dayr Al Asafeer, according to sources. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that “warplanes believed to be Russian” carried out the attacks, while the White Helmets – who put the initial death toll at two (one woman and one…

Summary

Published
12 January 2016
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