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

4,338 – 6,384

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 4,842 separate alleged incidents.

1,145 – 1,394
children likely killed
632 – 766
women likely killed
6,544
likely injured
3,435
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
15,282 – 24,392
Locally reported civilian deaths from Russian Military actions in Syria.
4,842 seperate alleged incidents
Confirmed or Fair
4,338 – 6,384
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by Russian Military
1,344 seperate alleged incidents
Weak
727 – 848
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Weak.
457 seperate alleged incidents
Contested
10,113 – 17,043
Civilian deaths for which the reporting is assessed by Airwars as Contested.
3,026 seperate alleged incidents
Discounted
104 – 117
Civilian deaths were Discounted by Airwars after assessment.
15 seperate alleged incidents
4808 incidents
Order results by:
Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

4 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0341

Location

Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria
الباب
Five civilians were killed and several others injured in alleged Russian and/or Assad regime airstrikes on Al Bab, according to local sources. The Shaam News Network produced two reports on the alleged incident. The first report put the death toll at two and an unspecified number of wounded, while the second report said five civilians…

Summary

Published
4 January 2016
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Incident Date

3 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0340

Location

Sheikh Miskeen, Daraa, Syria
الشيخ مسكين‎
A woman and man were killed in Sheikh Miskeen according to local sources – though it is not clear whether regime air or ground forces, strikes by Russian warplanes, or both were responsible for the deaths. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights produced two reports on the incident. The first report said that Russian warplanes…

Summary

Published
3 January 2016
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Incident Date

2 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0338

Location

Mare', Aleppo, Syria
مارع
One possible civilian was reported killed and several others injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Mare’ in the northern countryside of Aleppo, according to multiple sources. The Shaam News Network reported that Russian planes carried out raids on various areas, in particular the towns of Mare’, Tal Rifa’at, Izaz, Mangh and Deir Jamal, leading to…

Summary

Published
2 January 2016
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Incident Date

2 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0339

Location

Maarat al Arteek, Aleppo, Syria
معارة الارتيق
Two civilians including one unnamed woman and a member of the White Helmets were killed – and 10 others injured – in alleged Russian airstrikes on Maarat al Arteek, according to multiple sources. The Shaam News Network reported that a woman died when Russian warplanes targeted the town in several spatial missile strikes. They said…

Summary

Published
2 January 2016
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Incident Date

2 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0337

Location

Bayanoun, Aleppo, Syria
بيانون
Two civilians were reported killed – one possibly a child – in an alleged Russian airstrike or artillery attack on the town of Bayanoun.  

Summary

Published
2 January 2016
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Incident Date

31 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0335

Location

A'bedeen camp for IDPs, Idlib, Syria
مخيم عابدين للنازحين
Five civilians were killed and 20 wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on A’bedeen camp for displaced people, according to the Shaam News Network. The White Helmets told SNN that the shelling hit a large number of tents, scattering their contents across the site. They added that firefighters and ambulance teams attended the scene and…

Summary

Published
31 December 2015
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