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

20 October 2015

Incident Code

RS0062

Location

الرهجان, Al Rahjan, Hama, Syria
The VDC lists four unidentified civilian males as having been killed by “Russian air force shelling” at Al Rahjan in Hama. Other sourcing is weak, with the Syrian state news agency Sana attributing the attack to Assad regime aircraft, while Al Watan mentions only ‘aircraft.’  

Summary

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

Incident Date

20 October 2015

Incident Code

RS0064

Location

كفر تخاريم, Kafr Takharim, Idlib, Syria
A reported Russian airstrike on an empty school complex allegedly killed up to a dozen people, according to reports. Reporting from Sarmin, Orient News reporter Abu Mahmoud described the event: “Russian occupation forces targeted the town of Sarmeen with steric missiles. The target was a children’s school.. they are two schools next to each other,…

Summary

Published
20 October 2015
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
12
Civilians reported injured
10
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

20 October 2015

Incident Code

RS0061

Location

الرستن‬, Ar Rastan, Homs, Syria
A number of civilians were reported injured, after a midnight Russian air raid on the headquarters of a local rebel faction based in Ar Rastan. Two fighters were confirmed killed. one of whom was originally reported to have been a non-combatant. According to Sin News, the air raid “resulted in the collapse of the entire…

Summary

Published
20 October 2015
Civilians reported killed
0–1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

20 October 2015

Incident Code

RS0063

Location

سرمين, Sarmin, Idlib, Syria
On October 20, 2015, the alleged Russian airstrikes killed at least 14 non-combatants, according to multiple accounts. The first strike at 1 p.m. hit near a school and a field hospital in the town of Sarmin run by the Syrian-American Medical Society (SAMS.) A secondary strike, or "double tap" – captured on camera, – showed…

Summary

Published
20 October 2015
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Healthcare (Hospital), Education
Civilians reported killed
14–17
Civilians reported injured
28–30
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

19 October 2015

Incident Code

RS0059

Location

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria
An airstrike in the vicinity of al Karnish Street in Al Bab – either Russian or Assad regime – killed up to ten people and caused a significant number of injuries, according to reports. Al Bab Free Syria reported that “Ten martys died as a result of [regime airstrikes], among whom were members of the…

Summary

Published
19 October 2015
Civilians reported killed
5–10
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

19 October 2015

Incident Code

RS0060

Location

بشرفة, Bisharfeh, Latakia, Syria
In a reported mass casualty incident, at least 15 and as many as 57 civilians were killed in a Russian airstrike on the town of Bisharfeh in the Jabal al-Akrad area. Many of the victims were reported to be women and children. Al Khaleej cited a local civil defence official: “The shelling came from a…

Summary

Published
19 October 2015
Civilians reported killed
15–57
Civilians reported injured
24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident