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 DatePublication Date

Incident Date

9 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0251

Location

حمورية, Hamouriya, Damascus, Syria
Twenty-three civilians including eight children and one woman were reported killed and 20 injured in an airstrike on a residential area of Hamouriya, according to multiple sources. Reports were conflicted as to whether the attack was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. The Shaam News Network initially said 14 non-combatants died in a “massacre” by Russian warplanes.…

Summary

Published
9 December 2015
Civilians reported killed
23
Civilians reported injured
20
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

8 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0243

Location

كفر حمرة, Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Syria
Eight to 13 civilians including three women and three children were reported killed – and dozens injured – in an airstrike on Kafr Hamra according to multiple sources. Reports were conflicted as to whether the attack was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. The Shaam News Network said Russian forces were responsible and had pounded…

Summary

Published
8 December 2015
Civilians reported killed
8–13
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

8 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0242

Location

تلول الحمر, Tulul Al Humur, Hama, Syria
The Violations Documentation Center listed one unidentified adult female as killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Tulul Al Humur. No further details are available at the present time.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

7 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0235

Location

كفر زيتة, Kafr Zita, Hama, Syria
The Union of Hama Rebels reported that five people were killed in Hama but did not state whether they were civilians. It added that one of those killed was “documented in secret” and named him as Ahmad Mohammad Al Abboud, who died “as a result of Russian bombing on Kafr Zita in Hama countryside.” No…

Summary

Published
7 December 2015
Civilians reported killed
0–1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

7 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0237

Location

كفر حمرة, Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Syria
Up to 12 civilians including three children and one woman were reported killed and nine to 24 wounded in airstrikes on Kafr Hamra, according to multiple sources. According to Shahed Ayan there were two strikes, with both killing civilians. It remains unclear who was responsible for the raid, with conflicting reports. Some claimed the regime…

Summary

Published
7 December 2015
Civilians reported killed
10–12
Civilians reported injured
9–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

7 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0238

Location

الناجية, Najieh, Idlib, Syria
Three related civilians including two women were killed in a pair of airstrikes on Najieh village, according to the Violations Documentation Centre and the Syrian Network for Human Rights. One source claimed an additional two people died. The Syrian Network blamed the regime for the attack, while the VDC and Idlib Civil Defence said the…

Summary

Published
7 December 2015
Civilians reported killed
3–5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident