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

7 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0240

Location

الهلك, Huluk (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
Five civilians including two women and two children were killed – and dozens injured – in an alleged Russian airstrike targeting Al Huluk School, Aleppo, according to the Shaam News Network. The White Helmets reported that four dead bodies were recovered from the rubble and that 10 injured people were rescued. It said that among…

Summary

Published
7 December 2015
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
12–24
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

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

6 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0234

Location

زملكا, Zamalka, Damascus, Syria
Up to 20 civilians were reported killed – including 6 to 7 children and 2 women – and about 40 injured in an alleged Russian airstrike with vacuum missiles on Zamalka, according to multiple sources. Al Jazeera reported that 12 civilians including two children died in the attack, while All4Syria said nearly 50 non-combatants died or…

Summary

Published
6 December 2015
Civilians reported killed
18–20
Civilians reported injured
40
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

6 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0233

Location

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria
Three non-combatants including one child were reported killed and several injured in an airstrike on Douma – though reports were conflicted as to whether the attack was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. According to Al Jazeera Russia was responsible for the raid. But the Syrian Network blamed the regime, naming one child, Ibrahim…

Summary

Published
6 December 2015
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident