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

8 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0136

Location

مهين, Mahin, Homs, Syria
The Violations Documentation Center reported the death of four non-combatants, including three children, following alleged shelling by Russian warplanes, while the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that three civilians including two children died in the strike. VDC has published the four victims by names.    

Summary

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

Incident Date

8 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0132

Location

البوابية, Bawabiyah, Aleppo, Syria
According to multiple sources, one man was killed and at least five non-combatants were injured by alleged Russian warplanes targeted the village of Buwaybiyah in southern Aleppo countryside.  

Summary

Published
8 November 2015
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2–5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

8 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0134

Location

تدمر, Palmyra, Homs, Syria
According to The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, at least one civilian was killed and 10 injured, in dozens of alleged airstrikes by Russian warplanes. The Observatory said it expected the death toll to rise, as some people were left in a critical condition. A victim was later named by the VDC. The Syrian Network…

Summary

Published
8 November 2015
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
10
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

8 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0135

Location

الصوانة, Al Sawana, Homs, Syria
The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that three civilians, including two children, were killed in an alleged raid by Russian warplanes. According to the Network, the non-combatants were targeted as they were leaving the town of Maheen in Homs, leading to some reporting confusion with the following incident. The SNHR released the three victim…

Summary

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

Incident Date

8 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0131

Location

أم صحريج, Umm Sahrij, Hama, Syria
One female non-combatant was reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on a mosque in Umm Sahrij, according to the Coordination of Syrian Revolution in Eastern Hama, and The Union of Hama Revolutionaries [links presently disabled.] All4Syria also reported that “The village of Umm Sahreej in the eastern Hama countryside suffered a Russian airstrike which…

Summary

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

Incident Date

8 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0133

Location

مَعَرَّة النُّعْمَان, Maarat al Numan, Idlib, Syria
According to multiple sources, at least ten non-combatants died, and 30 were injured by alleged Russian warplanes struck the popular market in the centre of Ma’arat Al Numan. The Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed the regime for the alleged raids, but a member of The White Helmets, who came to the scene, told SN4HR Russian…

Summary

Published
8 November 2015
Civilians reported killed
10–12
Civilians reported injured
30
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident