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

14 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0148

Location

Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Syria
كفر حمرة
According to the Violations Documentation Center and The Syrian Network for Human Rights, five or six civilians were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike in Kafr Hamra. SN4HR reported that Russian warplanes shelled the neighbourhood of Jamye’at Al Sabbath. Additionally, they stated that a tailoring factory belonging to the Syrian Organization of Human Care and…

Summary

Published
14 November 2015
View Incident

Incident Date

14 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0149

Location

Barisha, Idlib, Syria
باريشا
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that alleged Russian warplanes targeted the village of Barisa and the Abo Al Dohor area and reported losses, but did not provide any details. No further information is available at the present time.

Summary

Published
14 November 2015
View Incident

Incident Date

13 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0145

Location

Kafr Zita, Hama, Syria
كفر زيتة
The Violations Documentation Centre reported that one adult male was killed as a result of alleged shelling by Russian warplanes. Mr al Rajab’s status is contested, with some reports claiming he was an opposition fighter. The pro-regime site Hama News Network said he was a field commander with the FSA, for example.    

Summary

Published
13 November 2015
View Incident

Incident Date

13 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0146

Location

Khnefes, Homs, Syria
خنيفيس
According to the Violations Documentation Center and Al Qaryatayn, one adult male named was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Khnefes near Palmyra. His Facebook martyr's page noted: “We celebrate the life of the martyr Khaled Saleh Al Darweesh [Al Arabiya], Abou Sleiman, who died on Friday following the oppressive Russian planes raids on…

Summary

Published
13 November 2015
View Incident

Incident Date

12 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0144

Location

Al Ghariya, Daraa, Syria
الغارية
Seven non-combatants were reported killed – including one child and a woman – in alleged Russian (or possibly Syrian) airstrikes and Assad ground artillery attacks on Eastern Al Ghariya. Shaam News reported that warplanes hit a school, noting that Assad’s forces also targeted the town with artillery shells following the raids. The Syrian Network blamed…

Summary

Published
12 November 2015
View Incident

Incident Date

12 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0142

Location

Kafr Zita, Hama, Syria
كفر زيتة
One civilian man was reported killed when Russian warplanes allegedly launched several airstrikes using vacuum missiles. The Union of Hama Rebels later claimed there were 15 Russian raids on the town that morning.  

Summary

Published
12 November 2015
View Incident