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

4,338 – 6,384

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 4,842 separate alleged incidents.

1,145 – 1,394
children likely killed
632 – 766
women likely killed
6,544
likely injured
3,435
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
15,282 – 24,392
Locally reported civilian deaths from Russian Military actions in Syria.
4,842 seperate alleged incidents
Confirmed or Fair
4,338 – 6,384
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by Russian Military
1,344 seperate alleged incidents
Weak
727 – 848
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Weak.
457 seperate alleged incidents
Contested
10,113 – 17,043
Civilian deaths for which the reporting is assessed by Airwars as Contested.
3,026 seperate alleged incidents
Discounted
104 – 117
Civilian deaths were Discounted by Airwars after assessment.
15 seperate alleged incidents
4808 incidents
Order results by:
Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

21 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0187

Location

Qosaileh, Aleppo, Syria
حي القصيلة
Between four and six non-combatants, including two or more children, were reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Qosaileh, according to The White Helmets and the Violations Documentation Center. The Halab News Network posted a video showing the destruction of houses and other buildings, as a team of White Helmets searched for survivors. VDC has…

Summary

Published
21 November 2015
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Incident Date

21 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0184

Location

Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria
الباب
Seven civilians were reported killed in an airstrike on Al Bab by Russia or the Assad regime. According to the Syrian Observatory, the deaths occurred after a bakery was struck.  

Summary

Published
21 November 2015
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Incident Date

20 November 2015

Incident Codes

CS149 RS0181

Location

Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria
البوكمال
The Violations Documentation Center listed five non-combatants, including two women and one child, as killed in an alleged Russian or Coalition airstrike near Al Bukamal. At least two of those killed were said to work for the local electricity company, who died when an oil tank was targeted. VDC named two male victims and additionally…

Summary

Published
20 November 2015
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Incident Date

20 November 2015

Incident Codes

CS148 RS0178

Location

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
الرقة‎
A number of sources reported that an adult woman from Soran in Hama governorate was killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Raqqah. Violations Documentation has published the name & photo of the victim which as said he was killed due to the coalition air force's shelling.  In their January 2020 civilian casualty assessment, the US-led…

Summary

Published
20 November 2015
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Incident Date

20 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0172

Location

Al Mayadeen, Deir Ezzor, Syria
ميادين
According to the Violations Documentation Center one adult male civilian and one woman or girl were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Mayadeen. Local media activist Hussein al Ahmad reported that “One of them targeted Al Quds mosque in the town which led to its destruction.” Photos show a severely damaged building.  

Summary

Published
20 November 2015
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Incident Date

20 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0179

Location

Mareian, Idlib, Syria
مرعيان
Four children were among up to five civilians reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Mareian, according to the Violations Documentation Center and the Syrian Network for Human Rights. The Network stated that two rockets fell on the town and that two houses were completely destroyed. Jisr TV placed the death toll at five,…

Summary

Published
20 November 2015
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