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

20 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0173

Location

Idlib, Idlib, Syria
According to multiple sources, at least seven non-combatants died, this including two children and two women, and some injured in alleged Russian airstrike in downtown Idlib city. Other sources accused the Syria regime air forces of the shelling in the city of Idlib. The Violation Documentation Center in Syria named the seven victims.

Summary

Published
20 November 2015
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Incident Date

20 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0180

Location

Ashara, Deir Ezzor, Syria
العشارة‎
One civilian girl died “as a result of Russian bombing” at Ashara, according to Deir Ezzor Is Being Slaughtered and others. The Violations Documentation Center named one woman or child as a victim of alleged shelling by Russian warplanes. It lists her as killed in Ashara, Deir Ezzor. Maha had previously been injured in an…

Summary

Published
20 November 2015
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Incident Date

20 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0175

Location

Jib al Qiba (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
جب القبة
According to the Violations Documentation, one adult male civilian (listed as a 25-year-old teacher) was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Jeb el Kibba. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that “Alleged Russian warplanes launched a rocket on residential houses on Joub Al Kibba neighbourhood which killed an individual and injured not less…

Summary

Published
20 November 2015
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Incident Date

19 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0169

Location

Douma, Damascus, Syria
دوما
Fourteen or more non-combatants were killed and dozens injured in the shelling of Eastern Ghouta. Since the attack reportedly involved both airstrikes including cluster munitions (by either Russian or Assad regime aircraft), as well as ground artillery fire from pro-government forces, attribution for the deaths remains unclear. According to SNN, the “‘Sharia public body’ in…

Summary

Published
19 November 2015
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Incident Date

18 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0166

Location

Al Rahiba, Damascus, Syria
الرحيبة
The White Helmets reported the death of one man and the injuring of his wife, following several alleged Russian airstrikes during the evening on the town of Al Rahiba. However the VDC reported the death of an unnamed civilian male “due to regime`s army forces shelling.” And the Free Syrian Army noted only that an…

Summary

Published
18 November 2015
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Incident Date

18 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0167

Location

Al Karkat, Hama, Syria
الكركات
The Union of Hamas Rebels reported that one child who was killed – and two or more people injured – in alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Al Karat. The VDC also named the boy, who it said had died “Due to the Russian air forces shelling of Karakat village.” The Syrian News Desk…

Summary

Published
18 November 2015
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