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 Date Publication Date

Incident Date

16 October 2015

Incident Code

RS0051

Location

Teir Ma'ala, Homs, Syria
تيرمعلة
For the second day in a row Russian aircraft reportedly targeted Teir Ma’ala, this time killing nine or more civilians according to reports. “Russian warplanes launched two raids on the town of Teir Ma’alah missiles, one of which targeted the area around the town mosque, which killed nine and about four wounded, mostly women and…

Summary

Published
16 October 2015
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Incident Date

16 October 2015

Incident Code

RS0049

Location

Kafr Karmin, Aleppo, Syria
كفر كرمين
Between ten and 13 civilians including five children died in a Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on Kafr Karmin. The Syrian Network later named some eight of the including one man, two women and five children. One eyewitness said the attack came “Exactly after Friday prayer [when] Russian planes targeted the village of Kafr Karmeen…

Summary

Published
16 October 2015
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Incident Date

15 October 2015

Incident Code

RS0046

Location

Dar Al Kabira, Homs, Syria
الدار الكبيره
Between three and eight civilians were reported killed in an an alleged Russian airstrike on the small town of Dar Al Kabira in Homs. According to Smart News the event was instead a ‘friendly fire’ incident, with Russian missiles hitting a military academy.

Summary

Published
15 October 2015
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Incident Date

15 October 2015

Incident Code

RS0047

Location

Sabkiye, Aleppo, Syria
سابقية
A husband, wife and their three children, all boys, were reported killed in a Russian airstrike at Sabkiye, in Aleppo governorate. This event is presently single-sourced, with few details known. More broadly, the Syrian Observatory reported a major ground battle taking place at Sabkiye on the same day.

Summary

Published
15 October 2015
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Incident Date

15 October 2015

Incident Code

RS0048

Location

Al Hader Hospital, Aleppo, Syria
الحاضر
Alleged Russian airstrikes hit the Al Hader hospital in southern Aleppo governorate on two consecutive days, “which led to the fall of victims, including members of the medical staff,” according to Eldorar. The Violations Documentation Center later named 20-day old baby as a victim of the strike.

Summary

Published
15 October 2015
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Incident Date

15 October 2015

Incident Code

RS0044

Location

Talbisah, Homs, Syria
تلبيسة
Five civilians were killed in a heavy airstrike on Talbiseh, according to reports. Most attributed the attack to Russia, though at least one local report said the strike was the work of Syrian regime aircraft.

Summary

Published
15 October 2015
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