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

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

Incident Date

26 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0467

Location

أريحا, Ariha, Idlib, Syria
Between eight and nine civilians including one woman were killed and nine others injured in airstrikes on a popular market in Ariha, according to local sources. While three of the sources blame Russia for the attack, a fourth (the Syrian Network for Human Rights) says that the Assad regime were responsible. Activist told the Shaam News Network that Russian…

Summary

Published
26 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
8–9
Civilians reported injured
9
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0463

Location

معرسة الخان, Ma'arasta Al Khan, Aleppo, Syria
Two civilians – a man and a woman – were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on the road to Ma’arasta Al Khan. Radio Al Kul reported “the martyrdom of Mariam Abdullah aged 30 year from Russian Aviation targeting with rockets on the road of Ma’arasta el Khan in the northern Aleppo countryside this afternoon.”  

Summary

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

Incident Date

26 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0464

Location

دير الزور, Deir ez-Zor, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One adult male civilian, died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Deir-ez Zor, according to the Violations Documentation Centre and the Syrian Network for Human Rights.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

25 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0462

Location

حيان, Hayyan, Aleppo, Syria
Two children were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on the town of Hayyan, according to the Violations Documentation Centre. The children were listed as having died on January 25th. In a news roundup, the Shaam News Network reported that “Russian enemy planes carried out air raids on the city of Mare` and Tal Rifa’at and…

Summary

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

Incident Date

25 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0460

Location

ترمانين, Termanin, Idlib, Syria
12 civilians including four to five children and five women were killed – and 20 others injured – in airstrikes on Termanin, according to multiple sources. The Syrian Network for Human Rights also said that the target of the strike, a military commander of an Islamic battalion, was a 13th victim. The Syrian Network for Human Rights…

Summary

Published
25 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
12
Civilians reported injured
20
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident