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

27 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0485

Location

جرابلس, Jarablus, Aleppo, Syria
In a news roundup, Shaam News reported that several civilians were killed and wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Jarablus. The Network said this was part of raids on neighbourhoods in the city of Al Bab, including the villages of Berlhan, Trahil and the city of Manbij. It added that civilians were directly targeted. VDC lists…

Summary

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

Incident Date

27 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0482

Location

أبو حمام, Abu Hamam, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Four civilians including one women and two children were killed and several others injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on the al Shaitat area of Abu Hamam, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently. The Syrian Observatory reported the deaths of two children, one woman and one man in a Russian…

Summary

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

Incident Date

27 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0471

Location

حي الطحطوح, Al Tahtu (Deir ez-Zor), Deir Ezzor, Syria
Amid multiple air raids on civilian towns in Deiz ez-Zor, Russian warplanes are alleged to have killed an adult male civilian at Al Tahtu.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

27 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0483

Location

كفر لاها, Al Houla, Homs, Syria
Six civilians including one woman and two children (a boy and a girl) were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafr Laha, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The Observatory initially reported that five non-combatants died when “warplanes believed to be Russian which targeted places in Kafr Laha village at al-Houla.” They then reported that…

Summary

Published
27 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
6
Civilians reported injured
40–41
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

27 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0481

Location

محيميدة, Mahimideh, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently claimed Russian planes returned and targeted a funeral procession which was being held “for the martyrs of the massacre carried out by the Russian in the village of Mhimideh a few hours ago.” Al Jisir TV also reported that the town was hit with a second wave of Russian attacks.…

Summary

Published
27 January 2016
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

27 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0470

Location

ميادين, Al Mayadeen, Deir Ezzor, Syria
At least one civilian was killed and several members of his family injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Mayadeen, according to Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently. Alaan TV reported “the deaths of dozens of victims and wounded, including civilians and members of Daesh.”  

Summary

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