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

RS0432

Location

الخريطة, Al Khareeta, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Seven civilians including one woman and four children were killed and dozens more injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on the village of Al Khareeta, according to local sources. Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently reported that five died (one man and four children) when Russian warplanes struck the village. All4Syria, also said a family of…

Summary

Published
21 January 2016
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
7
Civilians reported injured
12
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

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

RS0426

Location

حزانو, Hazana, Idlib, Syria
Eight civilians including four children were killed and 20 injured in an airstrike on the town of Hazana, according to multiple sources. While most sources blamed Russia for the attack, the Syrian Network for Human Rights said that it was committed by the Assad regime, while British Foreign Office told the Telegraph that they could not be certain…

Summary

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

Incident Date

20 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0424

Location

Al Hissan, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between five and seven civilians including two children died in an alleged Russian strike on Al Hissan, according to local sources. Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently reported on “more than 20 strikes on the western countryside of Deir Ezzor“, which included details on an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Hissan. Deir Ezzor24 said that…

Summary

Published
20 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
5–7
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident