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

12 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0269

Location

سقبا, Sakba, Damascus, Syria
Between four and five non-combatants were killed in airstrikes on Sakba, according to multiple sources. The Shaam News Network reported that two civilians died in two alleged Russian strikes on the town. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported unspecified losses also due to alleged Russian attacks. However, footage of the attack from two separate…

Summary

Published
12 December 2015
Civilians reported killed
4–5
Civilians reported injured
20–50
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0267

Location

السوسة, Al Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Twelve civilians – most of which were women and children – were killed and several injured in an airstrike on Al Soussa – though reports were conflicted as to whether the attack was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. One source also blames the Coalition. The Shaam News Network initially reported that 10 non-combatants…

Summary

Published
12 December 2015
Civilians reported killed
12
Civilians reported injured
12–20
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
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

Incident Date

12 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0266

Location

Al Atarib, Aleppo, Syria
Between 14 and 20 civilians, including three women and two children, were killed and between two and 12 injured in airstrikes on Al Atarib, 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 initially reported that four non-combatants,…

Summary

Published
12 December 2015
Civilians reported killed
14–20
Civilians reported injured
2–12
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0263

Location

Kafr Zita, Hama, Syria
One civilian was reported killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafr Zita, according to the Union of Hama Rebels and the VDC. The victim has been named as Zamzam Abdo Al Laban from Kafr Zita Reporting remains confused, with multiple alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafr Zita between December 9th and 12th which resulted in a…

Summary

Published
12 December 2015
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0264

Location

Saba’a wa Arba’een, Al Hassakah, Syria
Two civilians were reported killed and several others injured in an alleged Russian attack by helicopters on southern rural villages of Hassaka, according to Siraj Al Hasskawi, an activist from the region. Hasskawi noted that if the helicopters proved to be Russian then this would be the first raid in the area since the announcement…

Summary

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