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

28 October 2015

Incident Code

RS0089

Location

عندان, Anadan, Aleppo, Syria
At least three named civilians, including a child, were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Anadan and nearby Kafr Hamra. There was some confusion about the incident, with Zaitonmag reporting that seven anti-government fighters were killed along with three civilians: “A Brigade commander working for Ahrar Syria in Aleppo said that seven of his…

Summary

Published
28 October 2015
Civilians reported killed
3–9
Civilians reported injured
10–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

28 October 2015

Incident Code

RS0087

Location

تل هادية, Tal Hadya, Aleppo, Syria
As many as 11 civilians were reported killed in the second alleged Russian airstrike in as many days on Tal Hadya. A large number of civilians were also reportedly injured in the nighttime attack. According to the Syrian Observatory, “nine people [six women, one child and two men] were killed in bombing by warplanes believed…

Summary

Published
28 October 2015
Civilians reported killed
9–11
Civilians reported injured
50
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

27 October 2015

Incident Code

RS0083

Location

اللطامنة, Ltamenah, Hama, Syria
A civilian neighbourhood was targeted in Ltamenah – allegedly by Russia – which killed approximately 10 civilians. According to Shaam “10 civilians (three of them from one family) were killed, and five wounded, as a result of Russian aircraft targeting civilian homes with vacuum missiles.” Violations Documentation Center later named Khaled Abdulhameed al-Jahem as having…

Summary

Published
27 October 2015
Civilians reported killed
10
Civilians reported injured
20
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

27 October 2015

Incident Code

RS0085

Location

أم ميال, Um Mayyal, Hama, Syria
In a contested event, four named women and men were reported killed in an airstrike at Um Mayyal. While Violations Documentation Center, the Syrian Network and others blamed Russia, the opposition Syria News Desk – which said three homes were destroyed in the incident – said the attack was the work of Assad regime aircraft.…

Summary

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

Incident Date

27 October 2015

Incident Code

RS0086

Location

قبر الأنكليزي, Kabr al Inglizi, Aleppo, Syria
Four civilians were reported killed in Kabr al Inglizi (‘Tomb of the English’) in an alleged strike by Russia. According to the White Helmets “Civil defence removed the bodies of four martyrs and several wounded following Russian bombing with vacuum missiles.“  

Summary

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

Incident Date

27 October 2015

Incident Code

RS0084

Location

تل هادية, Tal Hadya, Aleppo, Syria
At least nine civilians were reported killed – including five children and two women – in an alleged Russian strike on the town of Tal Hayda. Early reports claimed the strike involved cluster munitions. Aleppo White Helmets noted at the time “Civil defence teams pulled out… 11 martyrs from Tal Hadya and dozens of injured.”…

Summary

Published
27 October 2015
Civilians reported killed
9–11
Civilians reported injured
20
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident