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

4,338 – 6,384

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 4,842 separate alleged incidents.

1,145 – 1,394
children likely killed
632 – 766
women likely killed
6,544
likely injured
3,435
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
15,282 – 24,392
Locally reported civilian deaths from Russian Military actions in Syria.
4,842 seperate alleged incidents
Confirmed or Fair
4,338 – 6,384
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by Russian Military
1,344 seperate alleged incidents
Weak
727 – 848
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Weak.
457 seperate alleged incidents
Contested
10,113 – 17,043
Civilian deaths for which the reporting is assessed by Airwars as Contested.
3,026 seperate alleged incidents
Discounted
104 – 117
Civilian deaths were Discounted by Airwars after assessment.
15 seperate alleged incidents
4808 incidents
Order results by:
Incident Date Publication Date

Incident Date

31 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0334

Location

Hedaj, Hama, Syria
الهداج
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
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Incident Date

31 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0335

Location

A'bedeen camp for IDPs, Idlib, Syria
مخيم عابدين للنازحين
Five civilians were killed and 20 wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on A’bedeen camp for displaced people, according to the Shaam News Network. The White Helmets told SNN that the shelling hit a large number of tents, scattering their contents across the site. They added that firefighters and ambulance teams attended the scene and…

Summary

Published
31 December 2015
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Incident Date

30 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0329

Location

Marzita, Idlib, Syria
معر زيتة
One adult male civilian was killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Marzita, according to the Violations Documentation Center and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. According to the SOHR one man from Ma’ra al-Nu’man died from wounds sustained in alleged Russian airstrikes targeting Marzita.    

Summary

Published
30 December 2015
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Incident Date

30 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0333

Location

Palmyra, Homs, Syria
تدمر
One adult male, named by the Violations Documentation Center as media activist Yousef Abo Bilal, (aka Abu al-Homsi Joshua) was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike. While the VDC lists Hamidiya neighbourhood in Homs, Yousef Abo Bilal actually died in Palmyra. His non-combatant status is also questioned. As Enabbaladi notes: “Activists from the city of Homs…

Summary

Published
30 December 2015
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Incident Date

30 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0331

Location

Douma, Damascus, Syria
دوما
Two civilians were reported killed and “dozens” wounded in airstrikes on Douma, according to the Shaam News Network – though the Network did not state whether Russia or the Assad regime was responsible. The White Helmets told SNN that aircrafts bombed the city with about 12 rockets which led to the death of two civilians. It…

Summary

Published
30 December 2015
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Incident Date

30 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0332

Location

Khan Subul, Idlib, Syria
خان السبل
One adult male, Bahaa Mohammad al-Sabouh (pictured) was reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Khan Subul. Step News said that “Russian planes launched several air raids on the town of Khan Subul and Mount Shahshabo from the southern countryside of Idlib, resulting in one civilian death in Khan Subul and several injuries among civilians.” However…

Summary

Published
30 December 2015
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