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

15 October 2015

Incident Code

RS0044

Location

تلبيسة, Talbisah, Homs, Syria
Five civilians were killed in a heavy airstrike on Talbiseh, according to reports. Most attributed the attack to Russia, though at least one local report said the strike was the work of Syrian regime aircraft.

Summary

Published
15 October 2015
Civilians reported killed
5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

15 October 2015

Incident Code

RS0045

Location

الفرحانية, Al Farhaniah, Homs, Syria
Three civilians were reported by al Jazeera as having been killed in a Russian strike on Al Farhaniah – part of a major wave of attacks that day. However footage of civilians transported to a local hospital described injuries from ‘artillery,’ with Homs News also reporting that regime shelling had targeted the town.

Summary

Published
15 October 2015
Civilians reported killed
3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

15 October 2015

Incident Code

RS0046

Location

الدار الكبيره, Dar Al Kabira, Homs, Syria
Between three and eight civilians were reported killed in an an alleged Russian airstrike on the small town of Dar Al Kabira in Homs. According to Smart News the event was instead a ‘friendly fire’ incident, with Russian missiles hitting a military academy.

Summary

Published
15 October 2015
Civilians reported killed
3–8
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

15 October 2015

Incident Code

RS0047

Location

سابقية, Sabkiye, Aleppo, Syria
A husband, wife and their three children, all boys, were reported killed in a Russian airstrike at Sabkiye, in Aleppo governorate. This event is presently single-sourced, with few details known. More broadly, the Syrian Observatory reported a major ground battle taking place at Sabkiye on the same day.

Summary

Published
15 October 2015
Civilians reported killed
5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

15 October 2015

Incident Code

RS0048

Location

الحاضر, Al Hader Hospital, Aleppo, Syria
Alleged Russian airstrikes hit the Al Hader hospital in southern Aleppo governorate on two consecutive days, “which led to the fall of victims, including members of the medical staff,” according to Eldorar. The Violations Documentation Center later named 20-day old baby as a victim of the strike.

Summary

Published
15 October 2015
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

14 October 2015

Incident Code

RS0040

Location

تحتايا, Tahtaya, Idlib, Syria
Two non-combatant males were killed in an alleged Russian strike on Tahtaya and were later named by the Violations and Documentation Centre. Syrian regime aircraft also reportedly bombed the town the day before, killing a woman and her daughter. However according to Qasioun – which posted a video of the attack – the event was…

Summary

Published
14 October 2015
Civilians reported killed
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident