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

15 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0277

Location

Idlib, Idlib, Syria
إدلب
One adult male civilian, named as Khaled Iyad al-Khaled, was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Idlib city, according to the Violations Documentation Centre and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. No further details are currently available.  

Summary

Published
15 December 2015
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Incident Date

15 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0280

Location

Ma'arat Al Nu'ssan, Idlib, Syria
معارة النعسان
Between 16 and 34 civilians were killed and more than 100 injured in airstrikes on a fuel market in Ma’arat Al Nu’ssan, according to multiple sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether the attack was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. The Shaam News Network reported that Russian warplanes launched cluster bombs on…

Summary

Published
15 December 2015
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Incident Date

15 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0279

Location

Maskanah, Aleppo, Syria
مسكنة
26 to 30 civilians including five women were killed and dozens injured in airstrikes on Maskaneh, according to multiple sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether the attack was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. The Shaam News Network reported that Russian aircraft committed an “appalling massacre” when warplanes targeted Maskaneh’s popular market…

Summary

Published
15 December 2015
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Incident Date

15 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0278

Location

Manbij, Aleppo, Syria
منبج
Two civilians were killed and nine injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on Manbij, according to Al A’maq News and Shaam News Network. SNN reported that the raid came as other areas in the countryside of eastern Aleppo (Maskaneh, Deir Hafer and Al Bab) faced Russian shelling but noted that despite these cities being under IS control the…

Summary

Published
15 December 2015
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Incident Date

14 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0275

Location

Al Murja, Aleppo, Syria
حي المرجة
Between five and seven civilians including one woman and one child were killed – and many injured – in airstrikes on the Al Murja neighbourhood in Aleppo – though reports were conflicted as to whether the attack was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. The Shaam News Network reported that Russian warplanes using cluster…

Summary

Published
14 December 2015
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Incident Date

14 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0276

Location

Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Syria
كفر حمرة
Five to six non-combatants including one child were reported killed – and several others injured – in airstrikes on Kafr Hamra, according to multiple sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether the attack was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that “warplanes believed to be Russian”…

Summary

Published
14 December 2015
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