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

10 October 2015

Incident Code

RS0034

Location

التمانعة, Al Tamani'ah, Idlib, Syria
Up to six civilians from one family, including a child and two women, were reported killed after an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Tamaanah. Two people were injured. The dead were later listed by the Syrian Network for Human Rights. Local media activist Abdul Kader Al Bakri told the Network: “This time we traced a…

Summary

Published
10 October 2015
Civilians reported killed
5–6
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

9 October 2015

Incident Code

RS0031

Location

تل عاس, Telaas, Idlib, Syria
A possible civilian was reported killed in an alleged Russian strike at Telaas near Khan Shaykhoun. VDC named one adult male as a non-combatant victim. However, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported only that “A fighter from a combat force was killed from wounds sustained after Russian planes targeted Brigade 13 in Telaas in southern Idlib…

Summary

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

Incident Date

9 October 2015

Incident Code

RS0032

Location

التمانعة, Al Tamana’h, Idlib, Syria
Two civilians were reported killed in Al-Tamana’h. While the Violations Documentation Center attributed the deaths to Russian aircraft, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said they were killed as a result of actions by Syrian regime helicopters.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

9 October 2015

Incident Code

RS0033

Location

كفرنبودة, Kafr Nbouda, Hama, Syria
A combined air assault by Russian attack helicopters – coupled with an attack by Syrian regime aircraft and ground forces – reportedly killed four civilians at Kafr Nbouda. They were later named by the Violations Documentation Center.

Summary

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

Incident Date

8 October 2015

Incident Code

RS0028

Location

جسر الشغور, Jisr al Shughour, Idlib, Syria
One civilian was reported killed at Jisr al Shughour. However, the cause was contested. While VDC blamed the attack on Russian forces, Radio al Kul, SOHR and Qasioun blamed the death on “regime heavy artillery.”

Summary

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

Incident Date

8 October 2015

Incident Code

RS0030

Location

النقير, Nakir, Idlib, Syria
A woman and two children were reported killed and another woman was injured in Nakir village near Maarat al Numan, in a Russian or Syrian regime attack. However reporting mentioning the use of cluster munitions at night strongly indicates Russian aircraft carried out the strike. Reporting from the scene, Shaam News said the camp for…

Summary

Published
8 October 2015
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Residential, IDP or Refugee Camp
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident