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 DatePublication Date

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

20 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0427

Location

قورقانيا, Qorgania, Idlib, Syria
One woman was killed and dozens more injured in a strike on the village of Qorgania, according to local sources. While the majority of the reports allege that Russia was responsible, another does not identify the culprits, while one source alleges that this was an attack by the Assad regime. Korkania al Hadath said that…

Summary

Published
20 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
7–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

20 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0428

Location

شقرة, Shaqra, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between six and eight civilians were killed when Russian warplanes allegedly targeted a funeral following a previous airstrike on Shaqra on January 20th. Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently reported that on the first incident in Shaqra on this day (listed above) in which “Fayez Al Shokan, five members of the Al Hayess family, Khaled…

Summary

Published
20 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
6–8
Civilians reported injured
15
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

20 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0429

Location

البيضاء, Al Bayda, Latakia, Syria
One civilian was killed and several others injured in an airstrikes on Al Bayda, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the regime were responsible. According to the Shaam News Network, this was the work of Russia. Syria News Desk reported testimony from a villager, Omar Malawi: “The Russian…

Summary

Published
20 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

20 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0422

Location

Al Qassabiya, Idlib, Syria
The Syrian Network for Human Rights, reported that at least four civilians including a girl and a woman died when “suspected Russian warplanes” fired two missiles on a school in the village of Al Qassabiya. LCCSY said that four civilians from one family died as a result of Russian strikes in Al Qassabiya. Syria2011 also named these victims –…

Summary

Published
20 January 2016
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

20 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0423

Location

Hussainiya, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between four and seven civilians including one to two children were killed and dozens more injured in alleged Russian strikes on the village of Hussainiya, according to multiple sources. Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently reported that four non-combatants died when Russian aviation struck the village with cluster bombs. They said that the warplanes targeted “the house of Talal…

Summary

Published
20 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
4–7
Civilians reported injured
10–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident