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

3 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0340

Location

الشيخ مسكين‎, Sheikh Miskeen, Daraa, Syria
A woman and man were killed in Sheikh Miskeen according to local sources – though it is not clear whether regime air or ground forces, strikes by Russian warplanes, or both were responsible for the deaths. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights produced two reports on the incident. The first report said that Russian warplanes…

Summary

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

Incident Date

2 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0337

Location

بيانون, Bayanoun, Aleppo, Syria
Two civilians were reported killed – one possibly a child – in an alleged Russian airstrike or artillery attack on the town of Bayanoun.  

Summary

Published
2 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

2 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0339

Location

معارة الارتيق, Maarat al Arteek, Aleppo, Syria
Two civilians including one unnamed woman and a member of the White Helmets were killed – and 10 others injured – in alleged Russian airstrikes on Maarat al Arteek, according to multiple sources. The Shaam News Network reported that a woman died when Russian warplanes targeted the town in several spatial missile strikes. They said…

Summary

Published
2 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
10
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

2 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0338

Location

مارع, Mare', Aleppo, Syria
One possible civilian was reported killed and several others injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Mare’ in the northern countryside of Aleppo, according to multiple sources. The Shaam News Network reported that Russian planes carried out raids on various areas, in particular the towns of Mare’, Tal Rifa’at, Izaz, Mangh and Deir Jamal, leading to…

Summary

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

Incident Date

31 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0336

Location

أعزاز‎, A`zaz, Aleppo, Syria
Three civilians including a woman and child were reported killed at a camp for displaced people in A'zaz. Radio Al Kul reported that “Three civilians were killed and tens injured, among them many children in critical condition, by Russian airstrikes on A'zaz and a refugee camp on the outskirts of the town.” The three victims were…

Summary

Published
31 December 2015
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
6–12
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

31 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0334

Location

الهداج, Hedaj, Hama, Syria
One adult male civilian, Shayesh Hamdo al-Ahmad, was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Hedaj, according to the Violations Documentation Center. No additional details are presently known.  

Summary

Published
31 December 2015
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident