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

17 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0160

Location

كفر حلب, Kafr Halab, Aleppo, Syria
A seven-year-old boy was reported killed and five of his family members injured, following an alleged Russian airstrike at Kafr Halab or nearby. A second child may also have died. Location reporting for this event remains confused. Chicken sheds were reported destroyed and civilian deaths alleged at Kafr Halab; near Kafr Daryan; and in the…

Summary

Published
17 November 2015
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Agriculture (Livestock), Residential
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
4–5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0158

Location

الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria
The VDC and Aleppo Eyewitness reported that two named non-combatant men were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike in Al Bab. However, Syrian Martyrs and the Damascus Centre for Human Rights blamed the Assad regime. Other sources simply blamed ‘warplanes.’  

Summary

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

Incident Date

17 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0159

Location

حريتان, Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria
A 27-year old civilian male named reported killed in Hraytan following a Russian or Assad regime airstrike. Seven civilians were additionally said to have been injured. While Halab News and Hraytan’s residents blamed the attack on Russia, the VDC said Mr Qinti died as a result of a regime airstrike (“air forces shelling.”)  

Summary

Published
17 November 2015
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
7
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0155

Location

قبر الأنكليزي, Kabr al Inglizi, Aleppo, Syria
The Violations Documentation Center reports that one adult male non-combatant was killed in alleged Russian warplane strikes on Qabr al Inglisi. The Free Syrian Army, which also named the victim, said he originally came from Anadan.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

17 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0157

Location

سراقب, Saraqib, Idlib, Syria
An alleged Russian midnight raid on Saraqib destroyed a bakery in the town. The Idlib Media Centre complained that “this oven is for baking, it’s not the headquarters of the rebels.” While The Syrian Observatory and Idlib Media Centre reported unspecified casualties, the Syrian News Desk put the toll at one civilian killed, with six…

Summary

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

Incident Date

17 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0154

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Shaykhun, Idlib, Syria
The Syrian Observatory reported that four non-combatants were killed and ten people were injured (four seriously) in three alleged Russian airstrikes on Khan Sheikhoun. A video filmed in the immediate aftermath shows devastated civilian houses, with at least ten injured adults and children. A second video (below) shows the moment the airstrike hits Khan Sheikhoun.

Summary

Published
17 November 2015
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Civilians reported injured
10
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident