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

29 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0328

Location

الشيخ مسكين‎, Sheikh Miskeen, Daraa, Syria
Two adult civilian men named as Abdullateef Abdul Ghani al-Omari (pictured) and Kamal Al Khaswan were reported killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Sheikh Miskeen. Smart News said the air raids were linked to a major ground offensive: “Russian occupation planes carried out dozens of air strikes on Tuesday morning at Sheikh Miskeen in the…

Summary

Published
29 December 2015
Civilians reported killed
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

28 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0327

Location

تل رفعت, Tall Rif`at, Aleppo, Syria
Up to 20 civilians, including two women and six children, were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on the neighbourhoods of Tel Rifa’at in the northern countryside of Aleppo, according to multiple sources. The Shaam News Network initially reported that three non-combatants were killed and other injured but later put the death toll at more than…

Summary

Published
28 December 2015
Civilians reported killed
20
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

28 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0326

Location

تدمر, Palmyra, Homs, Syria
Three to four civilians including one child were killed and dozens injured in airstrikes on Palmyra, according to multiple sources. The Shaam News Network reported that it was the second day in a row that Russian  warplanes killed non-combatants in the city and said that three had died in bombing raids carried out by “tens of Russian aircraft…

Summary

Published
28 December 2015
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Civilians reported injured
24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

27 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0324

Location

كحيل, Kaheel, Daraa, Syria
Four or five civilians were reported killed including a woman and dozens wounded, in alleged Russian airstrikes on Kaheel according to multiple sources. The Shaam News Network reported that four non-combatants died when Russian warplanes struck the town. The seriously wounded were taken to field hospitals. Five victims were listed by the Violations Documentation Center…

Summary

Published
27 December 2015
Civilians reported killed
4–5
Civilians reported injured
24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

27 December 2015

Incident Codes

CS160 RS0325

Location

أخترين, Akhtarin, Aleppo, Syria
A child was reportedly killed by alleged Russian and Coalition warplanes in the residential neighbourhood of Akhtarin, Aleppo. However, there are disputed claims as to whether the raids were carried out by Russia or the Coalition. LCCSY and Quasion News Agency both blamed the Coalition for the airstrikes - with Quasion noting that Russia was shelling…

Summary

Published
27 December 2015
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
4–24
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

27 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0323

Location

تدمر, Palmyra, Homs, Syria
Two or three civilians were killed and dozens injured in alleged Russian airstrikes with cluster bombs on Palmyra, according to the Shaam News Network and the Violations Documentation Center. The Shaam News Network reported that Russian warplanes launched 10 raids targeting the city hospital, resulting in significant damage to buildings and equipment. They added that…

Summary

Published
27 December 2015
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
2–3
Civilians reported injured
24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident