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

RS0156

Location

أورم الجوز, Urum Al Joz, Idlib, Syria
According to The Syrian Observatory, Russian warplanes allegedly bombed Orme al Joz killing up to four civilians. While the Observatory reported unspecified casualties, VDC named one adult male fatality. The Syrian News Desk cited local media activist Khaled Al Idilbi as saying “that Russian warplanes targeted with two raids residential sites within the town of…

Summary

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

Incident Date

15 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0153

Location

التمانعة, At Tamani'ah, Idlib, Syria
One woman was killed, and two men travelling with her badly injured when alleged Russian warplanes struck a car carrying displaced people on the road leading to Al Tamaanah in Idlib governorate. One of the men may later have died. Smart News has published an interview with an eyewitness: “At 09:30 this morning exactly an…

Summary

Published
15 November 2015
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Vehicle
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

15 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0150

Location

الميسر, Myassar, Aleppo, Syria
Two civilians were killed – an uncle and nephew – and two or more people injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on the  Myassar neighbourhood of Aleppo. Local media activist Hassan al Ahmad posted an image of the dead boy with the comment: “This is how Syria’s children are being killed as if their blood is…

Summary

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

Incident Date

15 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0152

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Shaykhun, Idlib, Syria
Five non-combatants – including a woman and child – were reported killed and more than five people injured in an alleged Russian airstrike targeting the town of Khan Shaikhoun. The Shaam News Network said three civilians were killed in the raid, while the Union of Hamas rebels reported that four people died. The VDC put…

Summary

Published
15 November 2015
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

15 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0151

Location

مَعَرَّة النُّعْمَان, Maarat al Numan, Idlib, Syria
News media reported that three or four children were killed – and more than 20 injured in Russian warplanes allegedly struck the Abu Alaa Al Ma’ari Elementary School for Boys in Ma’art Al-Nu’man. One video appears to show Russian aircraft over the city that day. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, the warplanes…

Summary

Published
15 November 2015
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Civilians reported injured
20
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

14 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0148

Location

كفر حمرة, Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Syria
According to the Violations Documentation Center and The Syrian Network for Human Rights, five or six civilians were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike in Kafr Hamra. SN4HR reported that Russian warplanes shelled the neighbourhood of Jamye’at Al Sabbath. Additionally, they stated that a tailoring factory belonging to the Syrian Organization of Human Care and…

Summary

Published
14 November 2015
Civilians reported killed
5–6
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident