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

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

Incident Date

13 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0270

Location

مسكنة, Maskanah, Aleppo, Syria
The Al A’maq agency (linked to so-called Islamic State) produced multiple reports on alleged Russian airstrikes which targeted the city of Maskaneh. They stated that two raids hit a popular market in the city, killing 25 civilians, injuring 33 (including 10 in critical condition) and causing destruction of property. But the Syrian Network for Human Rights…

Summary

Published
13 December 2015
Civilians reported killed
24–25
Civilians reported injured
30–35
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

13 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0272

Location

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria
Between 42 and 70 civilians, including five women nine to 20 children were killed and between 24 and 250 others wounded in aerial and missile bombardments of Douma and nearby locations in eastern Ghouta, Damascus, according to multiple sources. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that shelling by the regime killed 38, including five women and…

Summary

Published
13 December 2015
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
42–70
Civilians reported injured
24–250
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

13 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0271

Location

حرستا, Harasta, Damascus, Syria
Three adult males (one named as Othman al-Shayta aka Abu Omar possibly a civilian), were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Harasta. The same dead were listed by the White Helmets who said that six air raids and artillery bombing on civilian neighbourhoods in Harasta had led to the deaths of three people, the injuring of…

Summary

Published
13 December 2015
Civilians reported killed
0–1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

13 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0273

Location

الصاخور, Al Sakhour (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Two adult male civilians were reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Sakhour, according to the Violations Documentation Centre. Five additional victims may also have died, including a woman and girl. Halab TV also reported at least one death from an air raid, though did not identify a perpetrator: “Warplanes launched two air strikes…

Summary

Published
13 December 2015
Civilians reported killed
2–7
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0265

Location

Manbij, Aleppo, Syria
Between 13 and 33 civilians, including three women and nine children, were killed and between 30 and 60 injured in airstrikes on Daesh-occupied Mabij, according to multiple sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether the attack was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. The IS news agency Al A’maq reported that…

Summary

Published
12 December 2015
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
13–33
Civilians reported injured
30–60
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident