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

5 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0121

Location

Al Bukamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria
البوكمال
The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that 71 civilians including nine or more children killed – and more than 100 people injured – when alleged Russian warplanes launched two airstrikes on the market in Al Bukamal. It added that more than 20 shops were destroyed and that a mosque, park and school were damaged…

Summary

Published
5 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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Incident Date

5 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0122

Location

Al Karkat, Hama, Syria
الكركات
The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that four children from the same family died after alleged strikes by the regime. However Al Khul reported that six civilians died “after Russian planes last night targeted the village of Al Karkat near the town of Kala’at al Madik in the western countryside.” And the Shaam News Network…

Summary

Published
5 November 2015
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Incident Date

5 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0123

Location

Khan Shaykhun, Idlib, Syria
خان شيخون
One nine-year-old girl was killed in an airstrike on Khan Sheikhoun – though reports were conflicted as to whether the attack was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that regime warplanes were responsible, but the VDC – who named the girl as Shatha Dawood – said…

Summary

Published
5 November 2015
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Incident Date

4 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0118

Location

Banin, Idlib, Syria
بنسن
One man was reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Banin village, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. No further details are known at the present time.  

Summary

Published
4 November 2015
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Incident Date

3 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0114

Location

Bustan al Qasr (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
حي بستان القصر
Local sources that claimed the death of between six and eight civilians including three children and injury of 12 more in an alleged Russian airstrike on Bustan al Qasr. Several houses were also reportedly destroyed. VDC released the names of 8 people that killed, including three children as result of the strike. Additionally, the Violations Documentation…

Summary

Published
3 November 2015
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