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

9 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0249

Location

تدمر, Palmyra, Homs, Syria
The Violations Documentation Centre named one unidentified adult male as having been killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Palmyra. In addition, the Syrian Human Rights Campaign reported that a boy named as Yazan Jamil el Sha’eel “died of wounds sustained from Russian airstrikes on civilians’ homes.” According to another source there were heavy Russian air raids on…

Summary

Published
9 December 2015
Civilians reported killed
2
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

RS0241

Location

الصالحين, Salheen (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Three or four civilians including a child and at least one women were reported killed – and dozens injured – in an alleged Russian airstrike in the neighbourhood of Salheen, according to Shaam News Network and the White Helmets. The White Helmets reported that the team managed to rescue three people and transferred them to…

Summary

Published
7 December 2015
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

7 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0236

Location

المغيرية, Mughayriyah, Latakia, Syria
Four civilians were reported killed and several others injured, including women and children, when Russian warplanes allegedly “launched scores of strikes on residential areas”, according to the Shaam News Network. No further details are available at the present time.  

Summary

Published
7 December 2015
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

7 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0239

Location

حي السكري, Al Sukkari, Aleppo, Syria
Five civilians were reported killed and 10 injured in an airstrike on the Al Sukkari neighbourhood, 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 reported that Russian warplanes were responsible for the raid after a vacuum…

Summary

Published
7 December 2015
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
10
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident