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

4 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0230

Location

جسرين, Jissrain, Damascus, Syria
Between 16 and 30 civilians were reported killed and more than 50 others injured (“most of them women and children”), when Russian warplanes allegedly dropped four missiles on the popular market town of Jissrain (‘Two Bridges’), destroying residential buildings and shops according to reports. Activists told  Shaam News Network that the civilians had been “shot to…

Summary

Published
4 December 2015
Civilians reported killed
16–30
Civilians reported injured
50
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

4 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0225

Location

الأربعين‎, Al Arbain, Hama, Syria
The Union of Hama Rebels, the SHRC and the VDC have all named five civilians including two women, whom they say died in a Russian airstrike on the village of Al Arbain.  

Summary

Published
4 December 2015
Civilians reported killed
5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

4 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0226

Location

الناجية, Najieh, Idlib, Syria
One adult male and one child died in an alleged Assad regime airstrike on Najeh, according to the Violations Documentation Center. Radio Al Kul said one person died and three were injured – but instead attributed responsibility to Russia.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

3 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0221

Location

عربين, Arbeen, Damascus, Syria
Six non-combatants including two children were reported killed, and more than 15 injured, in an alleged Russian airstrike on Arbeen, according to the Shaam News Network which reported that the alleged raid led to the destruction of residential buildings and the homes of civilians. All six victims have been named.  

Summary

Published
3 December 2015
Civilians reported killed
6
Civilians reported injured
15
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

3 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0223

Location

الناجية, Najieh, Idlib, Syria
Five civilians including one child were reported killed – and five others injured – in an alleged Russian airstrike on the village of Najieh. The Shaam News Network posted images on Facebook showing the remains of what it stated were missiles dropped by Russian warplanes, while Jisr TV described the weapons as “cluster rockets originating…

Summary

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

Incident Date

3 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0222

Location

هنيدة, Hanida, Raqqa, Syria
Three brothers were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike which targeted a car carrying them to work near the town of Haneeda, according to Raqqa is Being Silently Slaughtered and the Syrian Human Rights Campaign. The victims – all described as builders – have all been named.    

Summary

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