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

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

26 October 2015

Incident Code

RS0079

Location

كفرنبل‎, Kafr Nabil, Idlib, Syria
A suspected Russian airstrike on the town of Kafr Nabil killed a father and his daughter while injuring the mother and son, according to reports. The dead were later named by Violations Documentation Center as Hatem Khaled al-Khatieb and his 12-year old daughter Diaa Hatem al Khatieb. However Mr al-Khatieb was later named by All4Syria…

Summary

Published
26 October 2015
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
2–3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

25 October 2015

Incident Code

RS0078

Location

الشيخ بركة, Sheikh Barakeh, Idlib, Syria
According to the Syrian Observatory, “suspected Russian warplanes attacked the village of al-Sheikh Barakah in the township of Sinjar in the eastern countryside of Idlib, killing a woman and [her] two children while other civilians were seriously wounded.” A third child died a fews days later of her injuries. The centre of the village was…

Summary

Published
25 October 2015
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
20
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

25 October 2015

Incident Code

RS0077

Location

الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria
According to the White Helmets in Aleppo, “Russian warplanes bomb the towns of Al Bab and Tadef yesterday evening with several raids using vacuum missiles – leaving several dead and dozens wounded and homes destroyed.” Other reports described two raids on Tadef and one on Al Bab. Radio Al Kul attributed the attacks to the…

Summary

Published
25 October 2015
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
20
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident