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

16 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0410

Location

فيلون, Fayloun, Idlib, Syria
12 civilians from the same family including three women and nine children were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Fayloun, according to local sources. Activists told the Shaam News Network that nine people from the “Saiid family” were killed following Russian raids. The Syrian Network for Human Rights said that 11 individuals from the same family 11 (eight children…

Summary

Published
16 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
12
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

16 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0412

Location

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria
Five to 13 civilians including six children were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Manbij, according to local sources. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that at least three non-combatants were killed, including two children, when suspected Russian warplanes shelled Manbij on January 16th. But the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights – also blaming…

Summary

Published
16 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
5–13
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

16 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0409

Location

بغيلية, Al Baghiliya, Deir Ezzor, Syria
15 civilians including one woman and nine children were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Baghiliya, according to local sources. The Shaam News Network blamed Russia for the strikes, reporting: “Activists have denied the news published by Assad’s media that IS had committed a massacre against civilians in Al Baghiliya district.  The regime said…

Summary

Published
16 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
15
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

16 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0411

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
33 to 42 civilians including five to eight children were killed – and 35 others injured – in airstrikes on Ar Raqqah, according to multiple sources. All sources allege that Russia carried out the attacks, except for the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights who do not say who was responsible.  The Shaam News Network reported that Russian warplanes carried out…

Summary

Published
16 January 2016
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
33–42
Civilians reported injured
35
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

16 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0397

Location

تادف, Tadif, Aleppo, Syria
Alaan TV reported that dozens of Russian airstrikes effected villages in Aleppo, including Tadeef. Halab News said that two non-combatants were killed in Tadeef as part of a “heavy aerial bombardment by warplanes”, but did not identify the planes.

Summary

Published
16 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

16 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0407

Location

تل مكسور, Tall Maksour, Aleppo, Syria
Alaan TV said that five civilians died and seven others were injured – some critically – in an alleged Russian strike. Halab TV put the death toll higher – at 15 – but did not say whose warplanes were responsible for the incident. According to LCCSY, 15 civilians died in strikes on Tal Maksour and…

Summary

Published
16 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
5–15
Civilians reported injured
7
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident