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

29 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0212

Location

A`zaz, Aleppo, Syria
أعزاز‎
Nine named  civilians including a child were reported killed – and at least 10 others injured – when Russian warplanes allegedly launched rockets on the northern suburbs of Aleppo, targeting a truck on the road to the Bab Al Salama crossing point, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights. The network also stated that…

Summary

Published
29 November 2015
View Incident

Incident Date

29 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0213

Location

Kafr Takharim, Idlib, Syria
كفر تخاريم
Two civilians – both children – were reported killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafr Takharim, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and others. Salqeen’s co-ordinating committee alleged that Russia used cluster munitions in the attack. A field investigation by Al Jazeera English interviewed a child eyewitness badly injured in the event: “I…

Summary

Published
29 November 2015
View Incident

Incident Date

29 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0210

Location

Al Dana, Idlib, Syria
الدانا
Shaam News Network and Aljazeera Mubashner reported that civilian relief trucks were allegedly struck by Russian warplanes in the town of Al Dana. No deaths or injuries were initially reported. Aljazeera Mubashner’s footage is entitled: ‘Aftermath of Russian bombing after they targeted relief trucks in Al Dana in Idlib.’ An interviewed man says the targeted…

Summary

Published
29 November 2015
View Incident

Incident Date

29 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0211

Location

Ariha, Idlib, Syria
أريحا
At least 37 civilians, including four children, were reported killed – and more than 72 others injured – in an alleged Russian airstrike on the market in the centre of Ariha, according to multiple reports. Amnesty International placed the death toll at 49 following an investigation. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that Russian…

Summary

Published
29 November 2015
View Incident

Incident Date

29 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0209

Location

Tabaqa (Al Thawrah), Raqqa, Syria
الثورة‎
Two to five non-combatants were reported killed following an alleged Russian airstrike targeting the Al Makassem area in Tabaqa. The victims were named by Raqqa is Being Silently Slaughtered. The group also posted images of homes which were allegedly targeted in the morning of November 28th. Additionally, three individuals used their Twitter accounts to report the…

Summary

Published
29 November 2015
View Incident

Incident Date

28 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0208

Location

Abbada, Aleppo, Syria
أباد
A family of four was reported killed in the village of Abbad in the Aleppo countryside, following alleged Russian raids. An eyewitness reported the following to Orient News: “Everyone here works in agriculture and shepherding. I was in the shop buying some things and we saw the plane. It struck the first blow on the…

Summary

Published
28 November 2015
View Incident