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 DatePublication Date

Incident Date

20 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0173

Location

Idlib, Idlib, Syria
According to multiple sources, at least seven non-combatants died, this including two children and two women, and some injured in alleged Russian airstrike in downtown Idlib city. Other sources accused the Syria regime air forces of the shelling in the city of Idlib. The Violation Documentation Center in Syria named the seven victims.

Summary

Published
20 November 2015
Civilians reported killed
7–8
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

20 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0180

Location

العشارة‎, Ashara, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One civilian girl died “as a result of Russian bombing” at Ashara, according to Deir Ezzor Is Being Slaughtered and others. The Violations Documentation Center named one woman or child as a victim of alleged shelling by Russian warplanes. It lists her as killed in Ashara, Deir Ezzor. Maha had previously been injured in an…

Summary

Published
20 November 2015
Civilians reported killed
6
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

20 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0175

Location

جب القبة, Jib al Qiba (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria
According to the Violations Documentation, one adult male civilian (listed as a 25-year-old teacher) was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Jeb el Kibba. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that “Alleged Russian warplanes launched a rocket on residential houses on Joub Al Kibba neighbourhood which killed an individual and injured not less…

Summary

Published
20 November 2015
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
6
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

19 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0169

Location

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria
Fourteen or more non-combatants were killed and dozens injured in the shelling of Eastern Ghouta. Since the attack reportedly involved both airstrikes including cluster munitions (by either Russian or Assad regime aircraft), as well as ground artillery fire from pro-government forces, attribution for the deaths remains unclear. According to SNN, the “‘Sharia public body’ in…

Summary

Published
19 November 2015
Civilians reported killed
14
Civilians reported injured
24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

18 November 2015

Incident Codes

CS146 RS0165

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Reports indicated that Coalition aircraft had killed up to ten civilians in Raqqa in an evening strike. According to local monitors Raqaa is Being Slaughtered Silently, seven were killed and eight injured after a civilian fuel facility was bombed in the Brigade 17 area of the city. A graphic video by Daesh propagandists Al A’maq…

Summary

Published
18 November 2015
Civilians reported killed
7–10
Civilians reported injured
8
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition, Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

18 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0166

Location

الرحيبة, Al Rahiba, Damascus, Syria
The White Helmets reported the death of one man and the injuring of his wife, following several alleged Russian airstrikes during the evening on the town of Al Rahiba. However the VDC reported the death of an unnamed civilian male “due to regime`s army forces shelling.” And the Free Syrian Army noted only that an…

Summary

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