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

6 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0124

Location

القريتين, Al Qaryatayn, Homs, Syria
There was no airstrike conducted on Nov 6th; however, VDC claimed that Mostafa Assem al Arki was killed during alleged Russian air forces shelling in the village Qaryatain. Mostafa Assem al Arki's death perhaps come after his injured due to the airstrike carried out on Nov 2nd and he died four days later.

Summary

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

Incident Date

5 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0120

Location

البوليل, Al Buliyal, Deir Ezzor, Syria
The Violations Documentation Center reported that one named civilian male was killed, allegedly due to “Russian airforce shelling“. VDC named the victim as Soeoud al-Thamer. No additional information is presently known.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

5 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0122

Location

الكركات, Al Karkat, Hama, Syria
The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that four children from the same family died after alleged strikes by the regime. However Al Khul reported that six civilians died “after Russian planes last night targeted the village of Al Karkat near the town of Kala’at al Madik in the western countryside.” And the Shaam News Network…

Summary

Published
5 November 2015
Civilians reported killed
4–6
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

5 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0123

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Shaykhun, Idlib, Syria
One nine-year-old girl was killed in an airstrike on Khan Sheikhoun – though reports were conflicted as to whether the attack was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that regime warplanes were responsible, but the VDC – who named the girl as Shatha Dawood – said…

Summary

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

Incident Date

5 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0121

Location

البوكمال, Al Bukamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria
The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that 71 civilians including nine or more children killed – and more than 100 people injured – when alleged Russian warplanes launched two airstrikes on the market in Al Bukamal. It added that more than 20 shops were destroyed and that a mosque, park and school were damaged…

Summary

Published
5 November 2015
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
48–71
Civilians reported injured
100
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

5 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0119

Location

القريتين, Al Qaryatayn, Homs, Syria
An adult male civilian Abd al-Kareem al-Alawi (also known as Abo Moseab) was named as killed after an alleged strike on Qaryatain by Russian warplanes. According to Radio Al Kul, Mr al-Alawi was one of two civilians who died: “The two martyrs are displaced from the neighbouring town of Maheen.“  

Summary

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