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

15 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0281

Location

الفردوس, Al Fardous (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Four civilians including two children were killed in airstrikes on the Fardous neighbourhood, Aleppo, according to multiple sources – though it is unclear whether regime or Russian warplanes were responsible for the attacks. The Shaam News Network reported that three non-combatants were killed in Russian airstrikes. But the White Helmets suggested that the Assad regime may have…

Summary

Published
15 December 2015
Civilians reported killed
4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

15 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0279

Location

مسكنة, Maskanah, Aleppo, Syria
26 to 30 civilians including five women were killed and dozens injured in airstrikes on Maskaneh, according to multiple sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether the attack was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. The Shaam News Network reported that Russian aircraft committed an “appalling massacre” when warplanes targeted Maskaneh’s popular market…

Summary

Published
15 December 2015
Civilians reported killed
26–30
Civilians reported injured
24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

15 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0280

Location

معارة النعسان, Ma'arat Al Nu'ssan, Idlib, Syria
Between 16 and 34 civilians were killed and more than 100 injured in airstrikes on a fuel market in Ma’arat Al Nu’ssan, according to multiple sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether the attack was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. The Shaam News Network reported that Russian warplanes launched cluster bombs on…

Summary

Published
15 December 2015
Civilians reported killed
16–34
Civilians reported injured
100
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

15 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0278

Location

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria
Two civilians were killed and nine injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on Manbij, according to Al A’maq News and Shaam News Network. SNN reported that the raid came as other areas in the countryside of eastern Aleppo (Maskaneh, Deir Hafer and Al Bab) faced Russian shelling but noted that despite these cities being under IS control the…

Summary

Published
15 December 2015
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
9
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

14 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0275

Location

حي المرجة, Al Murja, Aleppo, Syria
Between five and seven civilians including one woman and one child were killed – and many injured – in airstrikes on the Al Murja neighbourhood in Aleppo – though reports were conflicted as to whether the attack was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. The Shaam News Network reported that Russian warplanes using cluster…

Summary

Published
14 December 2015
Civilians reported killed
5–7
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

14 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0276

Location

كفر حمرة, Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Syria
Five to six non-combatants including one child were reported killed – and several others injured – in airstrikes on Kafr Hamra, according to multiple sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether the attack was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that “warplanes believed to be Russian”…

Summary

Published
14 December 2015
Civilians reported killed
5–6
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident