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

24 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0311

Location

عربين, Arbeen, Damascus, Syria
Eight civilians including three children were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Arbeen, according to the Violations Documentation Center. The White Helmets published a number of videos showing them attending the scene, fighting a fire and rescuing an injured person from under the rubble. One unidentified victim was also accounted for: Unidentified – adult,…

Summary

Published
24 December 2015
Civilians reported killed
8
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

24 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0306

Location

الديرونة, Daironeh, Hama, Syria
One adult male civilian, Staif al-Wahban, was reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Daironeh, Hama, according to the Violations Documentation Center and the Syrian Human Rights Campaign. No additional details are presently known.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

24 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0308

Location

احرص, Ahras, Aleppo, Syria
Seven or more civilians including two children were reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Ihress. Al Safira News reported “the death of two children and the injuring of more than 15 others, after more than 15 cars and trucks were bombed with cluster bombs which targeted a convoy of vehicles at a checkpoint…

Summary

Published
24 December 2015
Civilians reported killed
7–15
Civilians reported injured
15
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

24 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0309

Location

تل رفعت, Tall Rif`at, Aleppo, Syria
Two children were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Tel Rifa’at, Aleppo, according to the Violations Documentation Center. Al Souria placed the fatalities higher, noting: “The initial death toll following the targeting of the outskirts to the city of Tel  Refaat  with rockets by Russian warplanes is six martyrs, with additional injuries among civilians,…

Summary

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

Incident Date

24 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0307

Location

أم القرى, Um al Qura, Aleppo, Syria
One adult male civilian, Ali Al Akhras, was killed in an airstrike on Um Al Qura town, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights. SN4HR reported that he died when Russian warplanes allegedly fired missiles on Um Al Qura. The Violations Documentation Center listed him as killed “due to Russian air forces shelling” but did…

Summary

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

Incident Date

23 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0304

Location

حي العمال, Al Oummal (Deir ez-Zor), Deir Ezzor, Syria
Seven civilians including one child and five people from the same family were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Oummal, according to Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently and the Violations Documentation Center. Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently reported that Russian raids killed five members of the Wais al-Saleh family.    

Summary

Published
23 December 2015
Civilians reported killed
7
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident