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

27 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0322

Location

Turkmen mount, Latakia, Syria
One adult male, Fuad Khodr Kerawan, was reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike in the vicinity of Turkmen mount, according to the Violations Documentation Center. No additional details are presently known.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

26 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0318

Location

الحيدرية, Haidariya, Aleppo, Syria
Two civilians, a woman and child, were reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on the northern roundabout area in Al Haidariya . The Syrian Observatory reported a number of unspecified casualties, while Halab News named the same woman and child killed as VDC, attributing their deaths to “a Russian Air Force bombing attack on…

Summary

Published
26 December 2015
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0321

Location

جرجناز, Jarjanaz, Idlib, Syria
Eight civilians including four children were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on a school in Jarjanaz, according to the Shaam News Network. SNN reported that a Russian warplane launched four vacuum missiles on the gate of the Thee Qar school while students were leaving the premises to return to their homes. The Network said…

Summary

Published
26 December 2015
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
8
Civilians reported injured
24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0319

Location

تدمر, Palmyra, Homs, Syria
Four civilians including a child were reported killed in major alleged Russian air raids on Palmyra. Revolution Palmyra reported as many as 60 strikes on the city by Russia, including with cluster munitions. It said the raids were concentrated as follows: “- 10 air strikes on the city hospital which led to massive destruction –…

Summary

Published
26 December 2015
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
25
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26 December 2015

Incident Codes

CS159 RS0320

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
The IS-linked agency Al A’maq posted a video showing destruction in the city following reported airstrikes Local monitoring group Raqaa is Being Slaughtered suggested the attack may have been the work of the US-led Coalition: “Warplanes targeted with seven missiles on Friday night the area of February 23rd Street in Raqqa city center. This resulted in…

Summary

Published
26 December 2015
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

26 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0317

Location

الصناعية الشيخ نجار, Sheikh Najjar (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Up to seven civilians including an 85-year old man were reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Sheikh Najjar. SDU Syria said that “Russian warplanes have launched air strikes targeting residential neighborhoods in Sheikh Najjar City, which resulted in the deaths of five martyrs and dozens wounded.” The Syrian Observatory put the death toll…

Summary

Published
26 December 2015
Civilians reported killed
5–7
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident