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

26 November 2015

Incident Codes

CS151 RS0196

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Five to eight civilians including four children were reported killed, and 10 injured, when Russian warplanes allegedly launched several rockets on Hetten School in Raqqa, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights. Ara News also blamed Russia. Syria Press Report (citing the Syrian Observatory) placed the death toll at 12 and said the attack was…

Summary

Published
26 November 2015
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
5–12
Civilians reported injured
10–12
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

26 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0195

Location

القريتين, Al Qaryatayn, Homs, Syria
One adult male civilian was reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Qaryatain according to the Violations Documentation Center. Most other sources instead said both the Assad regime and Russian aircraft participated in the event. Indicating the chaos on the ground, QNN6 reported: “Assad’s gangs, supported by Russia… are bombing the town of al…

Summary

Published
26 November 2015
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0191

Location

حريتان, Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria
Three civilians were reported killed and five injured – including children – in an alleged Russian airstrike on Baghdad Street in Hraytan, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights. According to Smart News “Russian warplanes carried out four raids with rockets on the town which left three dead and seven wounded, including a woman,…

Summary

Published
26 November 2015
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
5–7
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0192

Location

مَعَرَّة النُّعْمَان, Maarat al Numan, Idlib, Syria
On November 26, 2015, five adult male civilians were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on the main street of Maarat Al Nu’man in the Idlib governorate of Syria. Orient News interviewed three witnesses to the attack (featured below). “The Russians carried out five raids, killing around six people and injuring many. They were all…

Summary

Published
26 November 2015
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
12–20
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0193

Location

سرمدا, Sarmada, Idlib, Syria
According to Zaitonmag, Russian aircraft carried out a raid on Sarmada on the Turkish border, “targeting a garage of relief trucks which has led to anonymous martyrs and two people slightly injured.“ The Syrian Network also reported the event, saying the attack by warplanes destroyed eight trucks and a water tank and killed one person.…

Summary

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

Incident Date

26 November 2015

Incident Codes

CS152 RS0194

Location

الخفسة, Khafsa, Aleppo, Syria
Seven civilians were killed and several injured in an alleged Russian, Assad regime or Coalition airstrikes on Al Khafasa. According to Shaam News Network, significant damage was caused to a water purification plant in the village, after seven raids. It said the plant provided water to most of the Aleppo neighbourhoods. It was additionally claimed…

Summary

Published
26 November 2015
Civilians reported killed
7
Civilians reported injured
10
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident