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

20 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0292

Location

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria
At least six civilians including one woman and two children from the same family were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on the food stores of A’dala, a relief organisation in Al Ghouta, according to reports. Significant food stores were targeted and destroyed and around 70 sheep slain.    

Summary

Published
20 December 2015
Civilians reported killed
6–7
Civilians reported injured
2
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

19 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0290

Location

العثمانية, Al Othmaniya, Aleppo, Syria
A 50-year old woman named as Mrs. Salwa Al Shahadi, was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Othmaniya. The VDC reported that Mrs al Shadadi originally came from Zimar village, and died “due to Russian air forces shelling on Othmaniye town.“ The local Jisr TV station blamed her death and several injuries on “airstrikes…

Summary

Published
19 December 2015
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

18 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0289

Location

الناجية, Najieh, Idlib, Syria
Seventeen non-combatants including eight women and nine children were killed in airstrikes on Najieh near Jisr al Shughour according to multiple sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether the attack was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. Thirteen of those killed as well as an unborn child came from one family, the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

18 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0288

Location

حريتان, Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria
Four to five civilians were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Hraytan, north of Aleppo, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. No further details are available at the present time.  

Summary

Published
18 December 2015
Civilians reported killed
4–5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0284

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
21 civilians were killed including two women and four children and 11 wounded in airstrikes on residential neighbourhoods in the centre and north and south of the city of Raqqa, according to multiple sources –  though it is unclear whether regime or Russian warplanes or shelling by the Assad regime were responsible for the casualties. According to…

Summary

Published
17 December 2015
Civilians reported killed
21
Civilians reported injured
11
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident