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

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

31 October 2015

Incident Code

RS0104

Location

الحميدية, Hamidiya (Deir ez-Zor), Deir Ezzor, Syria
Four named civilians were killed in a reported Russian or Assad regime airstrike on Hamidiya. The Violations Documentation Center named the victims, all adult males.    

Summary

Published
31 October 2015
Civilians reported killed
4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

31 October 2015

Incident Code

RS0103

Location

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria
The White Helmets were among those reporting multiple civilian fatalities after a series of alleged Russian airstrikes on Douma. “Since the morning until now, more than 15 strikes,” the civil defence group posted. Syria Reporter published what it said was an image of two Russian aircraft operating over the city that day. The dead were…

Summary

Published
31 October 2015
Civilians reported killed
6–9
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

30 October 2015

Incident Code

RS0102

Location

مَعَرَّة النُّعْمَان, Maarat al Numan, Idlib, Syria
Between seven and eight civilians including three children were killed in what were reported by most as four Russian airstrikes on the town of Maarat al Numan. However a local activist group and the Homs Meda Network attributed the attack to the Assad regime. The dead were later named by Violations Documentation Center.

Summary

Published
30 October 2015
Civilians reported killed
7–8
Civilians reported injured
15
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

30 October 2015

Incident Code

RS0101

Location

حي كرم النزهة, Karem al Nuzha, Aleppo, Syria
Up to six civilians were reported killed in the village of Karem el Nuzha on the outskirts of Aleppo, in an alleged Russian airstrike. Smart News said six died in the attack. An eyewitness later told the local news agency: “We came over, and in this corner there was a corpse, body parts of a…

Summary

Published
30 October 2015
Civilians reported killed
5–6
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident