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

28 October 2015

Incident Code

RS0087

Location

Tal Hadya, Aleppo, Syria
تل هادية
As many as 11 civilians were reported killed in the second alleged Russian airstrike in as many days on Tal Hadya. A large number of civilians were also reportedly injured in the nighttime attack. According to the Syrian Observatory, “nine people [six women, one child and two men] were killed in bombing by warplanes believed…

Summary

Published
28 October 2015
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Incident Date

28 October 2015

Incident Code

RS0088

Location

Banis, Aleppo, Syria
بانص
At least one and as many as seven civilians were reported killed in an alleged Russian strike on Bansh. Violations Documentation Center reported that an unnamed woman was killed “Due to the Russian army air forces’ shelling.”  

Summary

Published
28 October 2015
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Incident Date

28 October 2015

Incident Code

RS0089

Location

Anadan, Aleppo, Syria
عندان
At least three named civilians, including a child, were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Anadan and nearby Kafr Hamra. There was some confusion about the incident, with Zaitonmag reporting that seven anti-government fighters were killed along with three civilians: “A Brigade commander working for Ahrar Syria in Aleppo said that seven of his…

Summary

Published
28 October 2015
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Incident Date

27 October 2015

Incident Code

RS0080

Location

Hayyan, Aleppo, Syria
حيان
Media activist Jummah Al Ahmad was one of two civilians killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Hayyan, according to reports. According to the White Helmets “A mosque was totally destroyed and two civil defence team members injured in Hayyan centre, Ali Hayek and Ahmad Sarraj” in the attack. A second victim was later named…

Summary

Published
27 October 2015
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Incident Date

27 October 2015

Incident Code

RS0081

Location

Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria
حريتان
Eight named civilians were killed and a number injured in a reported Russian night-time airstrike at Hraytan, near Aleppo. The White Helmets – whose teams worked through the night to retrieve the dead and injured, reported: “Civil Defence team pulls out seven martyrs and several injured following Russian bombardement with vacuum missiles.“ Hraytan City, an…

Summary

Published
27 October 2015
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Incident Date

27 October 2015

Incident Code

RS0084

Location

Tal Hadya, Aleppo, Syria
تل هادية
At least nine civilians were reported killed – including five children and two women – in an alleged Russian strike on the town of Tal Hayda. Early reports claimed the strike involved cluster munitions. Aleppo White Helmets noted at the time “Civil defence teams pulled out… 11 martyrs from Tal Hadya and dozens of injured.”…

Summary

Published
27 October 2015
View Incident