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

6 October 2015

Incident Codes

CS133 RS0020

Location

Anadan, Aleppo, Syria
عندان
Two children and a 46-year-old male were reportedly killed during four alleged Russian strikes in the evening in Anadan in the northern Aleppo countryside in Syria. Another man was also named as a victim by VDC. Eyewitnesses described at least one secondary strike. A local medic told Qassioun: “Between the afternoon and evening, Russian planes…

Summary

Published
6 October 2015
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Incident Date

5 October 2015

Incident Code

RS0019

Location

Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria
الباب
At least six and as many as 17 civilians were reported killed in afternoon airstrikes – reportedly by Russian jets – on the ISIL-occupied city of Al Bab near Aleppo. According to Qasioun the strikes hit “a popular food market in the city, resulting in mass civilian casualties, and the burning of several cars and…

Summary

Published
5 October 2015
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Incident Date

4 October 2015

Incident Code

RS0017

Location

Gharnata, Homs, Syria
غرناطة
Two civilians were reported killed following an airstrike on Gharnata near Talbiseh city, in Homs governorate. While some sources attributed the attack to Russian aircraft, the Assad regime also reported carrying out strikes in the vicinity, with state news agency SANA reporting that “the Air Force destroyed nests and mechanisms for terrorist organizations… in the…

Summary

Published
4 October 2015
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Incident Date

4 October 2015

Incident Code

RS0018

Location

Umm Sharshuh, Homs, Syria
أم شرشوح
An alleged Russian raid killed up to three civilians at Umm Sharshuh, a town near Al Rastan. The Syrian Network cited local activist Abu Baraa Al Homsi: “Russian warplanes launched a number of air-strikes on Garnata and Umm Sharshuh. The strikes targeted civilian targets as usual. A number of individuals were killed and injured.” The…

Summary

Published
4 October 2015
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Incident Date

4 October 2015

Incident Code

RS0016

Location

Jisr al Shughour, Idlib, Syria
جسر الشغور
Russian aircraft returned to the attack at Jisr al Shughour, with the Kremlin carrying out strikes which it said targeted ‘uninhabited‘ militant storage depots, an all-terrain vehicle workshop, and a base. There were some reports that Syrian aircraft also participated in the attacks. According to the Syrian Network at least one of the strikes hit…

Summary

Published
4 October 2015
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Incident Date

3 October 2015

Incident Code

RS0013

Location

Akeerbat, Hama, Syria
عقيربات
A reported airstrike on the sheep market at Akeerbat village killed six civilians, including a child. While some blamed Russia, others such as the Syrian Network initially held the Syrian regime responsible. Five victims were later named.

Summary

Published
3 October 2015
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