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

7 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0239

Location

Al Sukkari, Aleppo, Syria
حي السكري
Five civilians were reported killed and 10 injured in an airstrike on the Al Sukkari neighbourhood, 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 were responsible for the raid after a vacuum…

Summary

Published
7 December 2015
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Incident Date

7 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0240

Location

Huluk (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
الهلك
Five civilians including two women and two children were killed – and dozens injured – in an alleged Russian airstrike targeting Al Huluk School, Aleppo, according to the Shaam News Network. The White Helmets reported that four dead bodies were recovered from the rubble and that 10 injured people were rescued. It said that among…

Summary

Published
7 December 2015
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Incident Date

7 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0241

Location

Salheen (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
الصالحين
Three or four civilians including a child and at least one women were reported killed – and dozens injured – in an alleged Russian airstrike in the neighbourhood of Salheen, according to Shaam News Network and the White Helmets. The White Helmets reported that the team managed to rescue three people and transferred them to…

Summary

Published
7 December 2015
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Incident Date

6 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0231

Location

Palmyra, Homs, Syria
تدمر
Three adult male civilians were reported killed and 20 wounded in an alleged Russian airstrikes on Palmyra, according to the Shaam News Network. SNN reported that three Russian fighter jets launched multiple air raids, with half of them concentrated on the city of Palmyra and the other half on the outskirts. The raids reportedly caused…

Summary

Published
6 December 2015
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Incident Date

6 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0232

Location

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
الرقة‎
15 civilians, including eight children and five women, were reportedly killed and 25 injured when Russian warplanes allegedly bombed the city of Raqqa, according to multiple sources. Raqqa is Being Silently Slaughtered said non-combatants were killed in the agricultural fields west of the city in Al Kahtaniya farm and at the crossroads of Hitteen farm.…

Summary

Published
6 December 2015
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Incident Date

6 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0233

Location

Douma, Damascus, Syria
دوما
Three non-combatants including one child were reported killed and several injured in an airstrike on Douma – though reports were conflicted as to whether the attack was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. According to Al Jazeera Russia was responsible for the raid. But the Syrian Network blamed the regime, naming one child, Ibrahim…

Summary

Published
6 December 2015
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