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

20 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0425

Location

شقرة, Shaqra, Deir Ezzor, Syria
An alleged Russian strike targeted a home where “condolences were being held“, according to SMO, killing eight civilians. Al A’an TV said six died as a result of Russian strikes, while ANA Press also attributed the incident to Russia. Four civilians were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Shaqra, according to the Violations Documentation Centre.…

Summary

Published
20 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
5–10
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

Incident Date

19 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0421

Location

البوليل, Al Buliyal Islah neighbourhood, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between six and 18 civilians including two children were killed – and 15 others injured – in airstrikes on Al Buliyal, according to local sources. Most sources alleged that Russian forces carried out the strikes, though an initial report by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently said that regime warplanes were responsible – but subsequent reports by…

Summary

Published
19 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
6–18
Civilians reported injured
15
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

19 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0420

Location

البوليل, Al Bulial Rouwaida neighbourhood, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between seven and 20 civilians including two children were killed, and more than 25 others injured, in an alleged Russian airstrike on the Rouwaida neighbourhood in Al Buliyal, according to multiple sources. The Syrian Network for Human Rights put the death toll at seven including two children, killed by shelling from “alleged Russian warplanes“. Al Jazeera reported sources…

Summary

Published
19 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
7–20
Civilians reported injured
25
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

18 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0419

Location

حيان, Hayyan, Aleppo, Syria
One adult female civilian, was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Hayyan, according to the Violations Documentation Centre. No further details are currently available.  

Summary

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