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

4 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0224

Location

Maskanah, Aleppo, Syria
مسكنة
Three civilians were reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike with more than 15 missiles on the road between Maskan and Kafrnasseh, Aleppo, according to the Shaam News Network. Shaam also asserted that once ambulance rescue services arrived the planes struck again, injuring members of the White Helmets who attended the scene. All4Syria said 20…

Summary

Published
4 December 2015
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Incident Date

4 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0227

Location

Talbisah, Homs, Syria
Thirteen civilians including three women and four children were reported killed at Talbiseh  – and at least 10 children injured. Multiple sources were divided in blaming Russia or the Assad regime. According to The Syrian Revolution News for Talbissa more than 10 children were injured in the attack. It posted multiple videos – along with…

Summary

Published
4 December 2015
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Incident Date

3 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0223

Location

Najieh, Idlib, Syria
الناجية
Five civilians including one child were reported killed – and five others injured – in an alleged Russian airstrike on the village of Najieh. The Shaam News Network posted images on Facebook showing the remains of what it stated were missiles dropped by Russian warplanes, while Jisr TV described the weapons as “cluster rockets originating…

Summary

Published
3 December 2015
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Incident Date

3 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0222

Location

Hanida, Raqqa, Syria
هنيدة
Three brothers were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike which targeted a car carrying them to work near the town of Haneeda, according to Raqqa is Being Silently Slaughtered and the Syrian Human Rights Campaign. The victims – all described as builders – have all been named.    

Summary

Published
3 December 2015
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Incident Date

3 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0221

Location

Arbeen, Damascus, Syria
عربين
Six non-combatants including two children were reported killed, and more than 15 injured, in an alleged Russian airstrike on Arbeen, according to the Shaam News Network which reported that the alleged raid led to the destruction of residential buildings and the homes of civilians. All six victims have been named.  

Summary

Published
3 December 2015
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Incident Date

2 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0218

Location

Al Tamani'ah, Idlib, Syria
التمانعة
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that Russian warplanes allegedly targeted the areas of Al Tamaanah and Tal A’as. A woman and her unborn child were said by Syria News to have been killed – though it blamed the Assad regime for the deaths.  

Summary

Published
2 December 2015
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