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

RS0439

Location

الرقة‎, Saif al Dawla, Raqqa, Raqqa, Syria
Seventeen civilians including eight children and five women died in airstrikes on the Saif al Dawla area of Raqqa, according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were to blame. RBSS initially referred to raids by “warplanes” and did not identify them, however, in a later…

Summary

Published
21 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
17
Civilians reported injured
10
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

21 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0435

Location

حي بستان القصر, Bustan al Qasr (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported Russian warplanes allegedly “carried out raids on several areas in the neighbourhoods of Sheikh Saeed and Bostan al-Qasr in Aleppo.” They said that casualties had been reported in the Bustan al Qasr neighbourhood, but did not provide further details.  Aleppo Media Center published a video depicting the aftermath of alleged…

Summary

Published
21 January 2016
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

21 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0436

Location

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria
Five civilians died and up to 20 were injured in airstrikes on Al Bab, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. Syrian Press Centre blamed Russia, putting the death toll at five, adding that “the city Of Al Bab is…

Summary

Published
21 January 2016
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
20
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

21 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0438

Location

احرص, Ahras, Aleppo, Syria
Six civilians including two women and three children were killed and at least eight injured in an airstrike on Ihress, according to local sources. All sources blamed Russian forces for the attack, though an initial report by the Syrian Network for Human Rights said Assad regime warplanes were responsible. The Shaam News Network reported that “a new…

Summary

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

Incident Date

21 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0433

Location

البغيلية, Al Bgailieh, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between two and six civilians died in an airstrike on Al Bgailieh, according to local sources – though only one source alleged that Russia was responsible. Step News Agency Tweeted that Russian strikes had hit Al Bgailieh. According to the Syria News Network, members of Daesh were “killed and wounded following clashes with the Syrian…

Summary

Published
21 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
2–6
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

21 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0434

Location

محيميدة, Mahimideh, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One adult male was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Mahimideh according to local sources. Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently reported that a Russian raid destroyed a house and that there were “many injuries“, though deaths were not mentioned. According to ANA Press, Russia warplanes “stepped up raids on the western countryside of…

Summary

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