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

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

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

RS0043

Location

الغنطو, Al Ghantu, Homs, Syria
An air raid shelter in the village of Al Ghantu was reportedly hit in a Russian airstrike, killing up to 48 people from one extended family. Among the dead were at least 23 children and nine women. A local cameraman captured the moment the missile from an apparent Russian Air Force Su-24 hit (see below)…

Summary

Published
15 October 2015
Civilians reported killed
45–48
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

15 October 2015

Incident Code

RS0042

Location

تيرمعلة, Teir Ma'ala, Homs, Syria
As many as 57 civilians were killed in a sequence of Russian airstrikes across Homs governorate. According to reports the attacks were in support of a Syrian regime ground offensive, backed by Iranian troops. In Teir Ma’ala, up to 23 non-combatants were said to have died alongside militants in a 6am attack. The Syrian Observatory…

Summary

Published
15 October 2015
Civilians reported killed
15–23
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

14 October 2015

Incident Code

RS0041

Location

الزيارة, Al Zeyara, Aleppo, Syria
The Syrian Network for Human Rights named a civilian male who was reported killed by cluster munitions following an alleged Russian airstrike on the town of Al Zeyara.

Summary

Published
14 October 2015
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident