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

21 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0431

Location

مشفى السلام, Al Salam hospital, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian died following an alleged airstrike on Al Salam hospital in Raqqa, according to two local sources. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently reported the death of Izzo Hamid Al Hammash. The victims was also named as killed in a Russian strike by Raqqa Post.  

Summary

Published
21 January 2016
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

21 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0442

Location

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria
Between three and five civilians died and dozens more were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Bab, according to local sources. The Syrian Press Centre reported that three civilians died in four Russian raids on residential neighbourhoods, leaving dozens more wounded, including women and children. A later report put the death toll at five,…

Summary

Published
21 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
3–5
Civilians reported injured
19–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

21 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0440

Location

المشلب, Al Mashlad (Ar Raqqah), Raqqa, Syria
Six civilians including four children died in strikes on the Al Mashlab neighbourhood of Raqqa, according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether Russia or the regime carried out the attacks, while some sources do not identify those responsible. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently named civilians as having been killed by…

Summary

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

Incident Date

21 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0441

Location

مديرية الكهرباء, Vicinity of power directorate in Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Ten civilians including four children and three women died in alleged Russian airstrikes on the power directorate in Raqqa city, according to local sources. Syrian News Desk also blamed Russia, but did not say how many died. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that “alleged Russian warplanes shelled the vicinity of the Power Directorate…

Summary

Published
21 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
10
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

21 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0430

Location

منطقة الأماسي, Al Amassi (Ar Raqqah), Raqqa, Syria
Sixteen civilians including six to nine children and four women died in airstrikes on Al Amassi in Raqqa, according to local sources – though most reports blamed Russia, others did not identify who was responsible. RBSS initially referred only to “warplanes“, but in a later post alleged that Russia was responsible. According to the Syrian…

Summary

Published
21 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
16
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

21 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0437

Location

كرم البيك, Karam al Bayk (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
One woman was killed and six to eight other civilians injured in airstrikes on the Karam al Bayk neighbourhood of Aleppo, according to local sources. While most reports allege that Russia was responsible, another blames the Assad regime. Al Buraq named the victim and also reported that the Russian raids wounded eight other civilians. Smart said…

Summary

Published
21 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
6–8
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident