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

28 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0488

Location

الحميدية, Hamidiya (Deir ez-Zor), Deir Ezzor, Syria
There were reports of “many victims” following alleged Russian raids on Hamidiya. No further details are available at the present time.   

Summary

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

Incident Date

28 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0489

Location

الصالحية, Al Salhiya, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Five non-combatants reportedly died and several others were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike near the entrance to the the town of Al Salhiya, according to Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently. No further details are currently available.  

Summary

Published
28 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

28 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0490

Location

معرسته الخان, Ma'arasta Al Khan, Aleppo, Syria
One person was killed and three injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on civilian vehicles on the Ma’arasta al Khan road. According to Halab Today, cluster rockets were used in the attack.  

Summary

Published
28 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

28 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0487

Location

محيميدة, Mahimideh, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Four civilians including a child died in alleged Russian raids on Mahimideh, according to local sources. Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently reported that alleged Russian raids killed several non-combatants and injured more, while Al Jisr TV claimed the casualty toll was as high as 25.

Summary

Published
28 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
4–25
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

28 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0495

Location

نحليا, Nahlia, Idlib, Syria
In a news roundup, the Shaam News Network reported that two civilians were killed and a number more wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on Nahlia. Radio Al Kul placed the death toll at four.  

Summary

Published
28 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
2–4
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

28 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0496

Location

الجنينة, Al Jneina, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Four civilians including one woman were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Jneina, according to local sources. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported a death toll of four, including one woman, in an attack by “suspected Russian warplanes“. Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently said that there had been two Russian strikes and named some…

Summary

Published
28 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident