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

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

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

RS0294

Location

كفر ناها, Kafr Naha, Aleppo, Syria
Up to fifteen civilians were reported killed and dozens injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafr Naha, according to the Shaam News Network. It said the raids were carried out by tens of Russian warplanes, adding that about 40 raids additional raids also targeted nearby towns and villages relating to battles between rebels and the…

Summary

Published
20 December 2015
Civilians reported killed
13–15
Civilians reported injured
24–25
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