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 DatePublication Date

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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Incident Date

13 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0270

Location

Maskanah, Aleppo, Syria
مسكنة
The Al A’maq agency (linked to so-called Islamic State) produced multiple reports on alleged Russian airstrikes which targeted the city of Maskaneh. They stated that two raids hit a popular market in the city, killing 25 civilians, injuring 33 (including 10 in critical condition) and causing destruction of property. But the Syrian Network for Human Rights…

Summary

Published
13 December 2015
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Incident Date

13 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0272

Location

Douma, Damascus, Syria
دوما
Between 42 and 70 civilians, including five women nine to 20 children were killed and between 24 and 250 others wounded in aerial and missile bombardments of Douma and nearby locations in eastern Ghouta, Damascus, according to multiple sources. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that shelling by the regime killed 38, including five women and…

Summary

Published
13 December 2015
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Incident Date

13 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0271

Location

Harasta, Damascus, Syria
حرستا
Three adult males (one named as Othman al-Shayta aka Abu Omar possibly a civilian), were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Harasta. The same dead were listed by the White Helmets who said that six air raids and artillery bombing on civilian neighbourhoods in Harasta had led to the deaths of three people, the injuring of…

Summary

Published
13 December 2015
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Incident Date

13 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0273

Location

Al Sakhour (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
الصاخور
Two adult male civilians were reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Sakhour, according to the Violations Documentation Centre. Five additional victims may also have died, including a woman and girl. Halab TV also reported at least one death from an air raid, though did not identify a perpetrator: “Warplanes launched two air strikes…

Summary

Published
13 December 2015
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Incident Date

12 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0263

Location

Kafr Zita, Hama, Syria
One civilian was reported killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafr Zita, according to the Union of Hama Rebels and the VDC. The victim has been named as Zamzam Abdo Al Laban from Kafr Zita Reporting remains confused, with multiple alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafr Zita between December 9th and 12th which resulted in a…

Summary

Published
12 December 2015
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