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 DatePublication Date

Incident Date

27 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0486

Location

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

Summary

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

Incident Date

27 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0474

Location

تراحيل, Tal Rahil (Taraheil), Aleppo, Syria
Between three and six civilians including two women were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Taraheil, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights and the Shaam News Network. SN4HR reported that three non-combatants, including two women, died when “suspected Russian warplanes” shelled Taraheil. The Shaam News Network – also blaming Russia – put the death toll…

Summary

Published
27 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
3–6
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

27 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0475

Location

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria
Ten to fourteen civilians were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Bab according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, who said warplanes shelled several residential houses in Al Kourneesh street. The Shaam News Network also reported Russian raids targeting non-combatants’ homes in Al Bab, but did not provide casualty figures. VDC named soe victims incuding 2 unidentified…

Summary

Published
27 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
10–14
Civilians reported injured
35
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

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

26 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0466

Location

جرجناز, Jarjanaz, Idlib, Syria
Between four and five civilians including one child and three women died in airstrikes on Jarnaz, according to local sources. Five sources alleged that Russia was responsible, but a fifth – the Violations Documentation Center – blamed the Assad regime. Syria 2011 said that four died and a number were wounded when rockets were fired…

Summary

Published
26 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
4–5
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident