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

20 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0177

Location

الزباري, Zubari, Deir Ezzor, Syria
The Violations Documentation Center reported that 25 non-combatants, including 13 women and one child, were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Zubari. Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently also posted a video showing the moment of the attack which it blamed on ‘Russian aviation.’ Also, Free Deir Ezzor Broadcast claimed the attack involved Russian ballistic…

Summary

Published
20 November 2015
Civilians reported killed
25
Civilians reported injured
15–40
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

20 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0174

Location

ميدان الغزال, Maydan al Ghazal, Hama, Syria
Up to four civilians were reported killed when missiles were allegedly fired from Russian warships, hitting the village of Maydan Al Ghazal. One eyewitness filmed in the aftermath insists “this was caused by Russian ballistic missiles hitting shepherds and farmers living here. They are not terrorists and they’re not armed.” The Syrian News Desk cited…

Summary

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

Incident Date

20 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0170

Location

كفر زيتة, Kafr Zita, Hama, Syria
Two civilians were killed in an alleged Russian bombing of the town of Kafr Zita, according to multiple sources. Syria News Desk cited local media activist Abdel-Rahman al-Ali was saying that “Russian jets targeted three raids north side of Kafr Zita, killing two people and destroyed four houses.”  

Summary

Published
20 November 2015
Civilians reported killed
2
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

RS0164

Location

تل هادية, Tal Hadya, Aleppo, Syria
According to the Union of Hamas Rebels, one adult civilian male was killed and two or more people injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on Tal Hadya. The Violations Documentation Center also named the victim, It also identifies him as a civilian but has published an image of him wearing a militant bandana. His combatant…

Summary

Published
18 November 2015
Civilians reported killed
0–1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident