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

RS0400

Location

تل رفعت, Tall Rif`at, Aleppo, Syria
Two civilians were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Tel Rifa’at, according to the Shaam News Network. SNN reported that 10 civilians were killed in airstrikes on the cities and towns of the northern countryside of Aleppo since Saturday morning: four in Ma’arsta al-Khan, two in Hayyan, two in Tel Rifa’at and two in Tamoura, in addition to dozens wounded. According to a Tweet…

Summary

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

Incident Date

16 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0401

Location

حي السكري, Sukkari (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Between four and 10 non-combatants including one woman and two to three children were killed, and more than 20 injured, in an airstrike on the Al Sukkari neighbourhood in Aleppo, according to local sources. The White Helmets reported that seven civilians (including one woman and two children) died when the raid targeted a children’s clinic. They did…

Summary

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

Incident Date

16 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0398

Location

معرسة الخان, Ma’arasta al Khan, Aleppo, Syria
Four civilians were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Ma’arasta al Khan, according to the Shaam News Network. SNN said that 10 civilians were killed in airstrikes on the cities and towns of the northern countryside of Aleppo since Saturday morning: four in Ma’arsta al-Khan, two in Hayyan, two in Tal Rifaat and two in Tamoura, in addition to dozens wounded. The Syrian Observatory for…

Summary

Published
16 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

16 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0399

Location

حيان, Hayyan, Aleppo, Syria
Two civilians were reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Hayyan, according to the Shaam News Network. SNN said that 10 civilians were killed in airstrikes on the cities and towns of the northern countryside of Aleppo since Saturday morning: four in Ma’arsta al-Khan, two in Hayyan, two in Tal Rifaat and two in Tamoura, in addition to dozens wounded.…

Summary

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

Incident Date

15 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0396

Location

الطعوس, Al Tao'ous, Aleppo, Syria
Up to 10 civilians died and dozens more were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Al Tao’ous near Dayr Hafer, according to local sources – though one source points to possible involvement by the Assad regime. Syrian Press Center reported that nine civilians died and dozens more were injured in Russian strikes.…

Summary

Published
15 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
9–10
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

15 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0392

Location

تدمر, Palmyra, Homs, Syria
One adult male civilian was killed in an alleged Russian strike in Palmyra when the car he was driving was hit. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that warplanes “believed to be Russian” carried out several intense raids which targeted areas in “al-Qaryatayn city in the southeastern countryside of Homs and other areas in the…

Summary

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