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

RS0473

Location

عندان, Anadan, Aleppo, Syria
One adult male civilian, was killed and ten others injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on a charity hospital in Anadan, according to local sources. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that Abdul Rahman Abeid died when Russian warplanes fired missiles on Anadan. A later report by SN4HR gave more details, explaining that the victim was an assistant surgeon…

Summary

Published
27 January 2016
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
10
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

RS0468

Location

Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria
The Shaam News Network reported that Russian warplanes had carried out raids targeting civilian homes, but did not give casualty numbers. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, Russian planes shelled residential houses in Al Kourneesh Street, killing six non-combatants from one family: five children and a woman.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

27 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0472

Location

Shaheil, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One woman and her child were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of al Shaheil, according to reports. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that a child,  died with his mother when “suspected Russian warplanes” fired missiles on the town. Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently also blamed Russia.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

26 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0465

Location

تدمر, Palmyra, Homs, Syria
One adult male civilian was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Palmyra, according to the Violations Documentation Centre. No further details are currently available.  

Summary

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