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

30 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0215

Location

السخنة, As Sukhnah, Homs, Syria
The Violations Documentation Center reported that six civilians, including one female and five children, were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on As Sukhna. Activist Alamawi Omer published what he said was an account of the attack: “This morning at eight thirty in the morning the brutal Russian Air Force threw a barrage of rockets.…

Summary

Published
30 November 2015
Civilians reported killed
6
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

29 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0212

Location

أعزاز‎, A`zaz, Aleppo, Syria
Nine named  civilians including a child were reported killed – and at least 10 others injured – when Russian warplanes allegedly launched rockets on the northern suburbs of Aleppo, targeting a truck on the road to the Bab Al Salama crossing point, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights. The network also stated that…

Summary

Published
29 November 2015
Civilians reported killed
9
Civilians reported injured
10
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

29 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0213

Location

كفر تخاريم, Kafr Takharim, Idlib, Syria
Two civilians – both children – were reported killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafr Takharim, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and others. Salqeen’s co-ordinating committee alleged that Russia used cluster munitions in the attack. A field investigation by Al Jazeera English interviewed a child eyewitness badly injured in the event: “I…

Summary

Published
29 November 2015
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
4–10
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

29 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0210

Location

الدانا, Al Dana, Idlib, Syria
Shaam News Network and Aljazeera Mubashner reported that civilian relief trucks were allegedly struck by Russian warplanes in the town of Al Dana. No deaths or injuries were initially reported. Aljazeera Mubashner’s footage is entitled: ‘Aftermath of Russian bombing after they targeted relief trucks in Al Dana in Idlib.’ An interviewed man says the targeted…

Summary

Published
29 November 2015
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

29 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0211

Location

أريحا, Ariha, Idlib, Syria
At least 37 civilians, including four children, were reported killed – and more than 72 others injured – in an alleged Russian airstrike on the market in the centre of Ariha, according to multiple reports. Amnesty International placed the death toll at 49 following an investigation. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that Russian…

Summary

Published
29 November 2015
Civilians reported killed
37–49
Civilians reported injured
72
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

29 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0209

Location

الثورة‎, Tabaqa (Al Thawrah), Raqqa, Syria
Two to five non-combatants were reported killed following an alleged Russian airstrike targeting the Al Makassem area in Tabaqa. The victims were named by Raqqa is Being Silently Slaughtered. The group also posted images of homes which were allegedly targeted in the morning of November 28th. Additionally, three individuals used their Twitter accounts to report the…

Summary

Published
29 November 2015
Civilians reported killed
5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident