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

8 October 2015

Incident Code

RS0027

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Shaykhun, Idlib, Syria
According to reports two civilians – a man and a woman – died in a Russian airstrike at Khan Shaykhun, with other victims left in critical condition. SNN News described the attack as “a terrible massacre of civilians,” with footage showing a devastated civilian neighbourhood. And Al Jazeera aired frantic scenes as White Helmets tried…

Summary

Published
8 October 2015
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
11
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

8 October 2015

Incident Code

RS0029

Location

بليون, Belyon, Idlib, Syria
Six people were reported killed at Belyon due to warplane shelling. VDC named one woman as a victim of the strike. Smart News later posted a video showing a civilian clear-up operation in the village. One witness noted: “Here there were six martyrs, two from the village of Balian and four displaced from Sahil Al…

Summary

Published
8 October 2015
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
6
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

7 October 2015

Incident Code

RS0026

Location

بابيلا, Babilla, Hama, Syria
A father and his three children were among those reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Babilla, along with four other children, three of whom were named by the Syrian Network for Human Rights. Eyewitness Moustafa Ghareeb told the Syrian Network: “The Russian shelling occurred 7 kilometres away from Marat Al Nu’man, at Babilla…

Summary

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

Incident Date

7 October 2015

Incident Code

RS0024

Location

معصران, Ma'asaran, Idlib, Syria
An alleged Russian airstrike killed seven civilians at Ma’asaran in Idlib governorate. Most of those who died were from one family. A neighbour told Smart News: “This is my house, I arrived and I found everyone OK. But our neighbours? May God have mercy on them. I went to pray and then went to the…

Summary

Published
7 October 2015
Civilians reported killed
6–7
Civilians reported injured
12
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

7 October 2015

Incident Code

RS0025

Location

دارة عزة, Darat Izza, Aleppo, Syria
A mother and her two children were killed along with another woman in a suspected Russian cruise missile strike on the town of Darat Izza. Amnesty International later reported: “More than six residential buildings with at least a dozen homes were destroyed by the attack according to an eyewitness interviewed by Amnesty International as well…

Summary

Published
7 October 2015
Civilians reported killed
4–5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

7 October 2015

Incident Code

RS0023

Location

جبل الزاوية, Jabal al Zawiya, Idlib, Syria
According to the Syrian Observatory, Russian aircraft targeted a number of locations in Idlib governorate on October 7th including “Khan Shekhon, al-Tama’a, and al-Habeet in the southern countryside of Idlib, and other areas of Ehsim and al-Bara in the Zawyia mount [area].” As many as 10 non-combatants may have died at five different locations. However…

Summary

Published
7 October 2015
Civilians reported killed
3–9
Civilians reported injured
10
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident