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 Date Publication Date

Incident Date

7 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0127

Location

Kafr Joum, Aleppo, Syria
كفر جوم
Several civilians were reported killed and a number injured in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on the Al Dairi fabrics factory in Kafr Joum, Aleppo, according to the White Helmets and the Syrian Network for Human Rights. The White Helmets reported that Russian warplanes had carried out several raids targeting the factory, leading to widespread destruction and a…

Summary

Published
7 November 2015
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Incident Date

7 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0128

Location

Khan Al Assal (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
حي خان العسل
The White Helmets reported that one woman was killed and several other civilians injured following an alleged strike by Russian planes. The event may be linked to the previous incident between Kafr Naha and Khan al Assal. The only woman as listed by VDC as killed in an airstrike that day was Halima Abid al…

Summary

Published
7 November 2015
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Incident Date

7 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0125

Location

Between Saqba and Hamouriya, Damascus, Syria
سقبا وحموريه
Seven civilians were killed including four children – and dozens of people injured – following an alleged Russian or Assad regime air raid on neighbourhoods in an area linking the towns of Saqba and Hamouriya. The White Helmets and Radio Al Kul blamed Russia, while VDC and the Syrian Free Army said the attack was…

Summary

Published
7 November 2015
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Incident Date

7 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0126

Location

Douma, Damascus, Syria
دوما
News media and casualty recorders reported that between 25 and 26 civilians were killed including eight children and seven women – and more than a dozen injured – in airstrikes targeting a market where people were queuing to buy heating fuel. It remains unclear whether the Assad regime or Russian forces were responsible for the…

Summary

Published
7 November 2015
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Incident Date

6 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0124

Location

Al Qaryatayn, Homs, Syria
القريتين
There was no airstrike conducted on Nov 6th; however, VDC claimed that Mostafa Assem al Arki was killed during alleged Russian air forces shelling in the village Qaryatain. Mostafa Assem al Arki's death perhaps come after his injured due to the airstrike carried out on Nov 2nd and he died four days later.

Summary

Published
6 November 2015
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Incident Date

5 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0120

Location

Al Buliyal, Deir Ezzor, Syria
البوليل
The Violations Documentation Center reported that one named civilian male was killed, allegedly due to “Russian airforce shelling“. VDC named the victim as Soeoud al-Thamer. No additional information is presently known.  

Summary

Published
5 November 2015
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