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 DatePublication Date

Incident Date

23 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0305

Location

حيان, Hayyan, Aleppo, Syria
Two civilians – one woman and one female child – were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Hayyan, according to multiple sources. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that two victims – a female child and a woman – died when Russian warplanes allegedly fired missiles on Hayyan, while the Syrian Observatory for Human…

Summary

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

Incident Date

23 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0303

Location

أريحا, Ariha, Idlib, Syria
One adult male, Mahmoud Sonae also known as Abo Mehyo of Ariha, was reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike, according to the Violations Documentation Center. Mr Sonae was caught in a major airstrike on Idlib on December 20th, and appears to have died of his injuries three days later.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

22 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0299

Location

كفر داعل, Kafr Da'el, Aleppo, Syria
Three civilians including two children were killed and several other children injured in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike which hit an elementary school in Kafr Da’el in the countryside west of Aleppo. According to the Shaam News Network which blamed Russia, local activists said those killed were a teacher (or possibly school superintendent)…

Summary

Published
22 December 2015
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

22 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0300

Location

جسر الشغور, Jisr al Shughour, Idlib, Syria
Between five and eight civilians including one to five women and four children were killed – and several other injured – in an alleged Russian airstrike on Bdama, Jisr al Shughour, according to multiple sources. Reports by the Shaam News Network said that Russian warplanes targeted the town with two vacuum missiles, leading to the…

Summary

Published
22 December 2015
Civilians reported killed
5–8
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

22 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0301

Location

بزينة, Bzeina, Damascus, Syria
Between 20 and 40 civilians were reported killed and dozens injured in devastating alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Bzeina, according to multiple reports. While the destruction of the market and surrounding homes was extensive, the aircraft may have been targeting rebels. Videos filmed at the scene show some casualties and rescuers in military…

Summary

Published
22 December 2015
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Residential, Commerce (Market)
Civilians reported killed
20–40
Civilians reported injured
40–200
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

22 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0302

Location

الحميدية, Hamidiya (Deir ez-Zor), Deir Ezzor, Syria
17 civilians including seven women and three children were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on the Hamidiya neighbourhood, according to multiple sources. The Shaam News Network, the Syrian Network for Human Rights and Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently all named child victims (also named in the VDC list below). Violations Documentation Center named 15…

Summary

Published
22 December 2015
Civilians reported killed
17
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident