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

18 November 2015

Incident Codes

CS147 RS0168

Location

البوكمال, Al Bukamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria
According to the Violations Documentation Center and others, six civilian males were reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike in the vicinity of the Aisha hospital in Al Bukamal. According to Deir Ezzor 24, eight rockets or missiles were launched on the town. However, the Syrian Observatory has attributed the attack to the US-led Coalition.…

Summary

Published
18 November 2015
Civilians reported killed
6
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

Incident Date

18 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0167

Location

الكركات, Al Karkat, Hama, Syria
The Union of Hamas Rebels reported that one child who was killed – and two or more people injured – in alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Al Karat. The VDC also named the boy, who it said had died “Due to the Russian air forces shelling of Karakat village.” The Syrian News Desk…

Summary

Published
18 November 2015
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
12
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0161

Location

الموحسن, Muhassan, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Six or more non-combatants, including three children, were reported killed in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on Mohassan. There were claims the death toll may have been as high as 10. While most sources blamed Russia, the Syrian Network later reported that “government warplanes shelled Al Mouhassan city in eastern Deir Al Zour suburbs…

Summary

Published
17 November 2015
Civilians reported killed
6–10
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0162

Location

الأتارب, Al Atarib, Aleppo, Syria
Russian vacuum missiles allegedly targeted a key bakery in Al Atarib, taking it completely out of service. Reports said the bakery served more than 100,000 people (apparently confirmed by activists). There were no reports of casualties, but the Syrian Network for Human Rights said the bakery was the “greatest in the western region of Aleppo suburbs“,…

Summary

Published
17 November 2015
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0163

Location

حيان, Hayyan, Aleppo, Syria
One civilian factory worker was killed and two injured in an alleged Russian missile strike on the Atlas Factory for cotton in Hayyan, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights and the Violations Documentation Centre. The VDC published an image (right) of the unnamed victim. In a separate report, it has also listed 35-year old from…

Summary

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