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 DatePublication Date

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

Incident Date

14 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0149

Location

باريشا, Barisha, Idlib, Syria
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that alleged Russian warplanes targeted the village of Barisa and the Abo Al Dohor area and reported losses, but did not provide any details. No further information is available at the present time.

Summary

Published
14 November 2015
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

13 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0145

Location

كفر زيتة, Kafr Zita, Hama, Syria
The Violations Documentation Centre reported that one adult male was killed as a result of alleged shelling by Russian warplanes. Mr al Rajab’s status is contested, with some reports claiming he was an opposition fighter. The pro-regime site Hama News Network said he was a field commander with the FSA, for example.    

Summary

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

Incident Date

13 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0146

Location

خنيفيس, Khnefes, Homs, Syria
According to the Violations Documentation Center and Al Qaryatayn, one adult male named was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Khnefes near Palmyra. His Facebook martyr's page noted: “We celebrate the life of the martyr Khaled Saleh Al Darweesh [Al Arabiya], Abou Sleiman, who died on Friday following the oppressive Russian planes raids on…

Summary

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

Incident Date

12 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0142

Location

كفر زيتة, Kafr Zita, Hama, Syria
One civilian man was reported killed when Russian warplanes allegedly launched several airstrikes using vacuum missiles. The Union of Hama Rebels later claimed there were 15 Russian raids on the town that morning.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

12 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0143

Location

بينين, Benin, Idlib, Syria
Up to four non-combatants, including two children, were killed and 10 injured in alleged Russian nighttime airstrikes on Benin. The Syrian Network for Human Rights stated that phosphorous weapons may have been used in two strikes, which burned 500m of agricultural land. Additional strikes then targeted an olive pressing facility and a bakery in Bayneen.…

Summary

Published
12 November 2015
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
10
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident