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
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Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

8 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0243

Location

Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Syria
كفر حمرة
Eight to 13 civilians including three women and three children were reported killed – and dozens injured – in an airstrike on Kafr Hamra according to multiple sources. Reports were conflicted as to whether the attack was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. The Shaam News Network said Russian forces were responsible and had pounded…

Summary

Published
8 December 2015
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Incident Date

8 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0242

Location

Tulul Al Humur, Hama, Syria
تلول الحمر
The Violations Documentation Center listed one unidentified adult female as killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Tulul Al Humur. No further details are available at the present time.  

Summary

Published
8 December 2015
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Incident Date

7 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0235

Location

Kafr Zita, Hama, Syria
كفر زيتة
The Union of Hama Rebels reported that five people were killed in Hama but did not state whether they were civilians. It added that one of those killed was “documented in secret” and named him as Ahmad Mohammad Al Abboud, who died “as a result of Russian bombing on Kafr Zita in Hama countryside.” No…

Summary

Published
7 December 2015
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Incident Date

7 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0237

Location

Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Syria
كفر حمرة
Up to 12 civilians including three children and one woman were reported killed and nine to 24 wounded in airstrikes on Kafr Hamra, according to multiple sources. According to Shahed Ayan there were two strikes, with both killing civilians. It remains unclear who was responsible for the raid, with conflicting reports. Some claimed the regime…

Summary

Published
7 December 2015
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Incident Date

7 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0238

Location

Najieh, Idlib, Syria
الناجية
Three related civilians including two women were killed in a pair of airstrikes on Najieh village, according to the Violations Documentation Centre and the Syrian Network for Human Rights. One source claimed an additional two people died. The Syrian Network blamed the regime for the attack, while the VDC and Idlib Civil Defence said the…

Summary

Published
7 December 2015
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Incident Date

7 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0236

Location

Mughayriyah, Latakia, Syria
المغيرية
Four civilians were reported killed and several others injured, including women and children, when Russian warplanes allegedly “launched scores of strikes on residential areas”, according to the Shaam News Network. No further details are available at the present time.  

Summary

Published
7 December 2015
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