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

2 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0218

Location

التمانعة, Al Tamani'ah, Idlib, Syria
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that Russian warplanes allegedly targeted the areas of Al Tamaanah and Tal A’as. A woman and her unborn child were said by Syria News to have been killed – though it blamed the Assad regime for the deaths.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

2 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0220

Location

عندان, Anadan, Aleppo, Syria
One eight-year-old child named as Omar Ahmad al-Shagal was killed – and at least six people injured – in an alleged Russian airstrike on Anadan, according to the Violations Documentation Center and Shaam News Network. SNN posted a video depicting the aftermath of the alleged attack, showing one injured child being removed from an ambulance into a…

Summary

Published
2 December 2015
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
6
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

2 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0219

Location

كفر ناصح, Kafr Nasih, Aleppo, Syria
Up to 25 non-combatants including two children were reported killed – and dozens injured – in an alleged Russian bombing of civilian areas in the towns of Kafr Nasseh and Ihress, according to Al Khaleej Online and other sources. A White Helmets official said the alleged strike had also targeted vehicles carrying humanitarian aid, burning…

Summary

Published
2 December 2015
Civilians reported killed
7–25
Civilians reported injured
24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

1 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0217

Location

مهين, Mahin, Homs, Syria
Three civilians, including two women and one child, were reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Maheen according to the Violations Documentation Center.

Summary

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

Incident Date

1 December 2015

Incident Code

RS0216

Location

القريتين, Al Qaryatayn, Homs, Syria
Eight civilians were reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Qarayatain, according to reports.        

Summary

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

Incident Date

30 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0214

Location

حي باب النيرب, Bab al Nayrab (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
The Violations Documentation Center listed one unidentified adult female as having been killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on the Bab al Neirab neighbourhood of Aleppo. Tweeting on the same day, the Syrian Documentation Centre reported that “An air raid by Russian warplanes on several locations in Al Neirab neighbourhood has led to human losses…

Summary

Published
30 November 2015
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident