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

2 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0112

Location

القريتين, Al Qaryatayn, Homs, Syria
30 civilians were reported killed and a dozen injured in alleged evening Russian airstrikes on a centre for the distribution of bread in the town of Qaryatain in Homs province. According to Shaam News Network, 16 people died when Russian planes carried out two raids. Activists stressed that the raids targeted a bakery in the…

Summary

Published
2 November 2015
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Commerce (Bakery)
Civilians reported killed
30
Civilians reported injured
12
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

2 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0113

Location

سكيك, Sakik, Idlib, Syria
An initial report by the Violations Documentation Center named one adult male as a civilian medical worker who killed in an alleged Russian airstrike but did not specify the location. However, a later listing by the VDC identified him both as a paramedic and as a non-civilian, killed “during clashes with the regime’s army forces“.…

Summary

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

Incident Date

Incident Code

RS0105

Location

Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria
The White Helmets and others reported a very intense raid in the early hours of November 1st, allegedly by Russian warplanes, on Hraytan. The Al Haramees area was targetted with four strikes reportedly using vacuum missiles, which led to the death of 45-year old Mohammad Ismail Rustum and the wounding of two others, as well…

Summary

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

Incident Date

1 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0106

Location

Jbala, Idlib, Syria
One child was reported killed and two or more non-combatants injured following an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on Jbala. While the Syrian Observatory blamed Russia, both the Idlib Media Centre and Al Kul Radio said the attack was the work of the Assad regime.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

1 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0107

Location

معرتماتر, Ma’ar Tamater, Idlib, Syria
A child named as Ahmad Ali al-Yousef was reported killed following an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on Ma’artamater. The Violations Documentation Center and Syrian Observatory blamed Russia. The pro-regime Shaam Times – citing “military sources” – confirmed that unspecified aircraft had supported ground operations at Ma’artamater. And the Damascus Centre for Human Rights…

Summary

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

Incident Date

1 November 2015

Incident Code

RS0108

Location

منطقة أسيا, Assiya, Aleppo, Syria
An unnamed civilian male was reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike in Assiya. Almodon made no mention of civilian casualties, though did report strikes by “Russian jet fighters” on Assiya. No additional information is presently available.  

Summary

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