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

4,431 – 6,522

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 4,977 separate alleged incidents.

1,174 – 1,440
children likely killed
647 – 782
women likely killed
6,672
likely injured
3,500
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
15,841 – 25,260
Locally reported civilian deaths from Russian Military actions in Syria.
4,977 seperate alleged incidents
Confirmed or Fair
4,431 – 6,522
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by Russian Military
1,380 seperate alleged incidents
Weak
739 – 861
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Weak.
466 seperate alleged incidents
Contested
10,557 – 17,748
Civilian deaths for which the reporting is assessed by Airwars as Contested.
3,115 seperate alleged incidents
Discounted
114 – 129
Civilian deaths were Discounted by Airwars after assessment.
16 seperate alleged incidents
4942 incidents
Order results by:
Incident Date Publication Date

Incident Date

31 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0335

Location

مخيم عابدين للنازحين, A'bedeen camp for IDPs, Idlib, Syria
Five civilians were killed and 20 wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on A’bedeen camp for displaced people, according to the Shaam News Network. The White Helmets told SNN that the shelling hit a large number of tents, scattering their contents across the site. They added that firefighters and ambulance teams attended the scene and…

Summary

Published
31 December 2015
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
20
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

30 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0329

Location

معر زيتة, Marzita, Idlib, Syria
One adult male civilian was killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Marzita, according to the Violations Documentation Center and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. According to the SOHR one man from Ma’ra al-Nu’man died from wounds sustained in alleged Russian airstrikes targeting Marzita.    

Summary

Published
30 December 2015
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

30 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0333

Location

تدمر, Palmyra, Homs, Syria
One adult male, named by the Violations Documentation Center as media activist Yousef Abo Bilal, (aka Abu al-Homsi Joshua) was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike. While the VDC lists Hamidiya neighbourhood in Homs, Yousef Abo Bilal actually died in Palmyra. His non-combatant status is also questioned. As Enabbaladi notes: “Activists from the city of Homs…

Summary

Published
30 December 2015
Civilians reported killed
0–1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

30 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0330

Location

البوليل, Al Buliyal, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Three to six civilians including two women and three to four children were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Buliyal, according to the Violations Documentation Center and the Syrian Network for Human Rights. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that three non-combatants – including two women and a child – died when Russian warplanes…

Summary

Published
30 December 2015
Civilians reported killed
3–6
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

30 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0331

Location

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria
Two civilians were reported killed and “dozens” wounded in airstrikes on Douma, according to the Shaam News Network – though the Network did not state whether Russia or the Assad regime was responsible. The White Helmets told SNN that aircrafts bombed the city with about 12 rockets which led to the death of two civilians. It…

Summary

Published
30 December 2015
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
6–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

30 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0332

Location

خان السبل, Khan Subul, Idlib, Syria
One adult male, Bahaa Mohammad al-Sabouh (pictured) was reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Khan Subul. Step News said that “Russian planes launched several air raids on the town of Khan Subul and Mount Shahshabo from the southern countryside of Idlib, resulting in one civilian death in Khan Subul and several injuries among civilians.” However…

Summary

Published
30 December 2015
Civilians reported killed
0–1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident