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

16 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0406

Location

قصر البريج, Qasr al Burayj, Aleppo, Syria
Alaan TV reported Russian raids on Qasr el Bureji, but did not provide information on casualties. According to Halab News, eight civilians died in a bombardment by warplanes, though they did not identify the planes. Step also put the death toll at eight, though it was unclear from their report whether Russia or the regime…

Summary

Published
16 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
8
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

Incident Date

16 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0408

Location

برلهين, Berlheen, Aleppo, Syria
According to Alaan TV, Russian raids killed eight civilians in Berlheen. Halab News put the death toll higher, at 13, but did not identify the warplanes responsible. LCCSY reported that 15 civilians died in strikes on Tal Maksour and Berlheen, but they did not say who was to blame. Aleppo journalist Khaledaboalmjed said that 28…

Summary

Published
16 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
8–13
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

15 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0395

Location

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria
One to two civilians including one child were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Manbij, according to local sources. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that one person died and others were injured in an attack by warplanes believed to be Russian. Two victims were named by the Violations Documentation Center as having died “due to Russian…

Summary

Published
15 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

15 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0391

Location

دير حافر‎, Dayr Hafir, Aleppo, Syria
Two to three civilians including one child were killed and seven others injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on Dayr Hafer, according to local sources. Other sources also said Russia was responsible for the death of two young men.

Summary

Published
15 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
7
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident