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

6 October 2015

Incident Codes

CS134 RS0021

Location

تدمر, Palmyra, Homs, Syria
According to the Syrian Observatory, “preliminary information reported the death of civilians – including women and children – in the bombing by Russian warplanes on areas at the eastern outskirts of Palmyra city which is controlled by the ‘Islamic State’.” According to most sources, between 12 and 14 members of two Bedouin families died, including…

Summary

Published
6 October 2015
Civilians reported killed
12–15
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

6 October 2015

Incident Code

RS0022

Location

القريتين, Al Qaryatayn, Homs, Syria
The Syrian Observatory reported an unspecified number of casualties from an alleged Russian strike at Qarayatain, a town to the south west of Palmyra. Qasioun also reported that “a raid by fighters of the Russian Air Force on Tuesday afternoon led to deaths and injuries among civilians, some serious, as well as widespread destruction of…

Summary

Published
6 October 2015
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

6 October 2015

Incident Codes

CS133 RS0020

Location

عندان, Anadan, Aleppo, Syria
Two children and a 46-year-old male were reportedly killed during four alleged Russian strikes in the evening in Anadan in the northern Aleppo countryside in Syria. Another man was also named as a victim by VDC. Eyewitnesses described at least one secondary strike. A local medic told Qassioun: “Between the afternoon and evening, Russian planes…

Summary

Published
6 October 2015
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

5 October 2015

Incident Code

RS0019

Location

الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria
At least six and as many as 17 civilians were reported killed in afternoon airstrikes – reportedly by Russian jets – on the ISIL-occupied city of Al Bab near Aleppo. According to Qasioun the strikes hit “a popular food market in the city, resulting in mass civilian casualties, and the burning of several cars and…

Summary

Published
5 October 2015
Civilians reported killed
6–17
Civilians reported injured
20–30
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

4 October 2015

Incident Code

RS0017

Location

غرناطة, Gharnata, Homs, Syria
Two civilians were reported killed following an airstrike on Gharnata near Talbiseh city, in Homs governorate. While some sources attributed the attack to Russian aircraft, the Assad regime also reported carrying out strikes in the vicinity, with state news agency SANA reporting that “the Air Force destroyed nests and mechanisms for terrorist organizations… in the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

4 October 2015

Incident Code

RS0018

Location

أم شرشوح, Umm Sharshuh, Homs, Syria
An alleged Russian raid killed up to three civilians at Umm Sharshuh, a town near Al Rastan. The Syrian Network cited local activist Abu Baraa Al Homsi: “Russian warplanes launched a number of air-strikes on Garnata and Umm Sharshuh. The strikes targeted civilian targets as usual. A number of individuals were killed and injured.” The…

Summary

Published
4 October 2015
Civilians reported killed
1–3
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident