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

RS0479

Location

الخريطة, Al Khareeta, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Three or more civilians including 2 to 3 women and one child were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Khareeta, according to three sources. The Syrian Network for Human Rights said the victims died when “suspected Russian warplanes” fired missiles on Al Khareeta. Both the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently…

Summary

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

Incident Date

27 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0480

Location

محيميدة, Mahimideh, Deir Ezzor, Syria
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the number killed in raids carried out by “several warplanes believed to be Russian” on neighborhoods in Deir ez-Zor had risen to 27. They said this included three children and nine women. Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently published several reports on the incident in which they said that Russia…

Summary

Published
27 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
27–32
Civilians reported injured
20
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

27 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0469

Location

حي الصناعة السكني, Muheet Al Sina'aa (Deir ez-Zor), Deir Ezzor, Syria
According to Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently and the Violations Documentation Center, one man was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on the industrial area in the city of Deir ez-Zor.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

27 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0478

Location

الحسينية, Hussainiya, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Nine to 12 civilians including up to six women and four children were killed and ten others injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Hussainiya, according to multiple sources. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that Russian aircraft launches two rockets on the town, killing nine non-combatants. According to Deir Ezzor is Being Silently Slaughtered, Russian…

Summary

Published
27 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
9–12
Civilians reported injured
10
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

27 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0477

Location

المرج, Marj, Damascus, Syria
A single source, the White Helmets, reported that one child, named as Hussan Murad, was killed and several other civilians injured in alleged airstrikes by Russian warplanes on the Marj area of eastern Ghouta. VDC said the boy died “Due to the regime air forces’ shelling,” while the Damascus media office described 10 strikes by unspecified warplanes. According…

Summary

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

Incident Date

27 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0476

Location

برلهين, Berlahin, Aleppo, Syria
Seven civilians were killed in the village of Berlahin on 27th January 2016, according to one source. SNN reported that there were Russian bombardments in Al Bab around that time. Commenting on the incidents, they added that the death toll was likely to rise due to the severity of injuries sustained in the raids. There are…

Summary

Published
27 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
7
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident