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

12 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0376

Location

طلف, Talaf, Hama, Syria
Up to ten non-combatants were reported killed and a number wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on Talaf in the Hama countryside, according to local sources. Fatality claims ranged widely, from one to ten civilians killed. The local Hama Media Centre later issued a video report in which it interviewed local activist Abu Rayan: “Rayan: The…

Summary

Published
12 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
1–10
Civilians reported injured
3–5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0369

Location

حر بنفسه, Harbnafsa, Hama, Syria
Eight civilians were killed and a number of others wounded in Harbnafsa, according to the Shaam News Network, which blamed Russian warplanes. However Orient TV, Zaman al Wasl and Step News said that regime artillery was responsible for the deaths.  

Summary

Published
12 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
7–8
Civilians reported injured
8
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

11 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0365

Location

ابطع, Abtaa, Daraa, Syria
One civilian was killed in an airstrike on Abtaa, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights – though it is unclear whether Assad regime or Russian forces were responsible. The Observatory reported that regime forces bombed the town of Abtaa in the northern countryside of Dara’a, and that this was followed by raids by warplanes “believed to…

Summary

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

Incident Date

11 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0362

Location

الشيخ علي, Sheikh Ali, Aleppo, Syria
Three civilians were killed when “warplanes believed to be Russian” bombed areas in Sheikh Ali village in the western countryside of Aleppo, according to local sources. The Syrian Observatory said there was “initial information about more casualties“, but did not specify. Al Burraq placed the death toll at three, with several injured.  

Summary

Published
11 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

11 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0366

Location

عنجارة, Anjara, Aleppo, Syria
Between 15 and 30 civilians including six women and at least five children were killed – and dozens more people injured – in alleged Russian airstrikes targeting schools in Anjara, according to multiple sources. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that warplanes believed to be Russian struck the Mustafa Ruston elementary school in the…

Summary

Published
11 January 2016
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
15–30
Civilians reported injured
24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

11 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0363

Location

معارة الارتيق, Maarat al Arteek, Aleppo, Syria
Activists told Shaam News that Russian warplanes targeted Maarat al Arteek with three strikes, using highly explosive missiles. They said that an automated bakery and residential buildings were damaged, which resulted in the death of one person and the injury of 10 others, including serious cases taken to field hospitals.  

Summary

Published
11 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
5–10
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident