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

RS0370

Location

Palmyra, Homs, Syria
تدمر
One unidentified adult female was listed by the Violations Documentation Centre as killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Palmyra. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that “violent clashes are still taking place on the outskirts of al-Qaryatayn city and in the vicinity of the al-Doweh area west of Palmyra in the eastern countryside of Homs, between regime forces…

Summary

Published
12 January 2016
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Incident Date

12 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0371

Location

Hayyan, Aleppo, Syria
حيان
Two to four civilians including one to two children were killed in an alleged Russian airstrikes on a school for boys in Hayyan, according to multiple sources. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that four civilians including two children died when “suspected Russian warplanes fired several missiles near Hayan High School for Boys in Hayan…

Summary

Published
12 January 2016
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Incident Date

12 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0372

Location

Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria
الباب
Eight to nine civilians including two women and four children were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Bab. SNN reported that alleged Russian warplanes shelled the residential houses northwest of Al Bab city in eastern Aleppo suburbs, under the control of ISIL. The IS agency Al A’maq also reported on the incident, stating that nine…

Summary

Published
12 January 2016
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Incident Date

11 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0368

Location

Ar-Rastan, Homs, Syria
الرستن‬
Five civilians including three women and one child were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Rastan, according to multiple sources. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that Russian warplanes raided Al Rastan and Der al-Foul, killing three non-combatants including a child in Al Rastan. Distressing and graphic videos posted by ‘Al Rastan’ depict child casualties, while footage…

Summary

Published
11 January 2016
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Incident Date

11 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0364

Location

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
الرقة‎
One female child named as Aamne Hsain al Waw (pictured) was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Ar Raqqah, according to the Violations Documentation Center. No further details are currently available.  

Summary

Published
11 January 2016
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Incident Date

11 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0363

Location

Maarat al Arteek, Aleppo, Syria
معارة الارتيق
Activists told Shaam News that Russian warplanes targeted Maarat al Arteek with three strikes, using highly explosive missiles. They said that an automated bakery and residential buildings were damaged, which resulted in the death of one person and the injury of 10 others, including serious cases taken to field hospitals.  

Summary

Published
11 January 2016
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