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

11 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0259

Location

عربين, Arbeen, Damascus, Syria
Two male civilians were reported killed in either a Russian or Assad regime airstrike on Arbeen. The town’s local medical committee reported “Dozens of injured received by the hospital in Arbeen after the outskirts of the town of Arbeen, Zamalka and other eastern Ghouta towns were targeted by warplanes that are still targeting public places…

Summary

Published
11 December 2015
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
20
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

11 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0257

Location

الباغوز, Al Baghouz, Deir Ezzor, Syria
An alleged Russian air raid on the village of al Baghouz in eastern Deir Ezzor led to at least three deaths including a child. According to area blogger al Hussein al Hashimi “a raid on the village of al Baghouz targeting the home of Raheel al Majoul led to the death of Ibrahim al Majoul.…

Summary

Published
11 December 2015
Civilians reported killed
3–5
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

11 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0258

Location

هجين, Hajeen, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One child was reported killed and another civilian injured in an alleged Russian airstrike at Hajeen. No additional details are presently known.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

11 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0262

Location

الناجية, Najieh, Idlib, Syria
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and the Violations Documentation Centre alleged that Russian warplanes carried out dawn airstrikes on Najieh village. One adult male victim has been named by the VDC as Nabeil Shawa, who died “due to his wounds sustained by Russian air forces shelling of the town with cluster bombs.” The village…

Summary

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

Incident Date

11 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0256

Location

الفردوس, Al Fardous (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Two adult male civilians were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Fardous, according to the Violations Documentation Centre. No additional details are presently known.    

Summary

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

Incident Date

11 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0261

Location

زغير, Zughayr, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between three and seven non-combatants were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Zughayr, according to the Shaam News Network and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the civilians died when an oil field was targeted by Russian warplanes. SNN put the death toll higher, at seven.  

Summary

Published
11 December 2015
Civilians reported killed
3–7
Civilians reported injured
2–20
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident