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

22 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0297

Location

إدلب, Idlib, Idlib, Syria
Two civilians are listed as killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Idlib on December 22nd, according to the Violations Documentation Center. However both victims are also listed as having died in a strike on Idlib on December 20th. There are no additional reports of airstrikes on Idlib for December 22nd.    

Summary

Published
22 December 2015
Civilians reported killed
0–2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

22 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0298

Location

تفتناز, Taftanaz, Idlib, Syria
One adult male civilian, Mudar Abdulhameed Ezz, was listed killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Taftanaz, according to the Violations Documentation Center. In fact Mr Ezz lived in Taftanez but died in a December 20th airstrike on Idlib, with his body recovered from the ruins of the courthouse two days later.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

21 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0295

Location

رامي, Al Rami, Idlib, Syria
Four or more civilians were reported killed and more than 10 injured in Russian airstrikes on the villages of Al Zawiya mountain. Footage appears to show a Su 24 in apparent Russian Air Force colours dropping two bombs in the vicinity of the town. According to the Shaam News Network five or more Russian airstrikes with rockets…

Summary

Published
21 December 2015
Civilians reported killed
4–6
Civilians reported injured
8–10
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

21 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0296

Location

الشيخ مقصود, Sheikh Maqsod (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Two or three civilians were reported killed and nine injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Sheikh Maqsod, according to the Shaam News Network. SNN reported that Russian warplanes launched several raids which came after the signing of a ceasefire between  rebels and the Kurdish People’s Protection Units. However all other sources blamed the Assad regime.…

Summary

Published
21 December 2015
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
9–10
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

20 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0291

Location

إدلب, Idlib, Idlib, Syria
Between 43 and 73 civilians were reported killed and 70-170 injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Idlib, according to multiple sources. Al Jazeera posted a video from the main market on Al Jala’a street in which the reporter said 47 non-combatants were killed and 70 injured, in strikes by Russian warplanes. The correspondent said the street contained two schools,…

Summary

Published
20 December 2015
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
43–73
Civilians reported injured
70–170
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

20 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0293

Location

الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria
Between five and 11 civilians were reported killed including two children in three airstrikes on Al Bab, according to multiple reports. Shahba Press claimed that “Russian warplanes launched three air strikes on al Bab City, which resulted in the deaths of five people, including two children, in addition to a large number of injuries and…

Summary

Published
20 December 2015
Civilians reported killed
5–11
Civilians reported injured
12–20
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident