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

2 October 2015

Incident Code

RS0009

Location

دير حافر‎, Dayr Hafir, Aleppo, Syria
Six civilians including three children were reported killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Dayr Hafir. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, ten civilians were also injured when the attack struck the local market. Al Jazeera placed the death toll at 25 while Shaam Network said that 20 were killed. There were some local…

Summary

Published
2 October 2015
Civilians reported killed
6–25
Civilians reported injured
10
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

2 October 2015

Incident Code

RS0010

Location

اللطامنة, Al-Latamnah, Hama, Syria
An alleged Russian airstrike on a field hospital at Al-Latamnah resulted in injuries to a number of medics and severe damage to the building, according to the Syrian Observatory. Although the Syrian Network for Human Rights described the attack as the work of the Syrian regime, the Russian MoD has confirmed a number of airstrikes…

Summary

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

Incident Date

2 October 2015

Incident Code

RS0011

Location

مَعَرَّة النُّعْمَان, Maarat al Numan, Idlib, Syria
According to the Syrian Observatory, “Russian warplanes carried out airstrikes on several places at the town of al-Ghadqa in the countryside of Maarat al Numan in the eastern countryside of Idlib, and we have information about injuries to several people, including paramedics from the civil defence.” While no other sources reported the attack, the Russian…

Summary

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

Incident Date

1 October 2015

Incident Code

RS0007

Location

الهبيط, Al Habeet, Idlib, Syria
Up to five civilians including one or two children were reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike at Al Habeet. The 9pm attack was said to involve high-explosive rockets, and three of the the dead, two men and a child were later named. Another child may also have died in the incident according to some…

Summary

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

Incident Date

1 October 2015

Incident Code

RS0006

Location

بليون‎, Belyon, Idlib, Syria
Alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Belyon, near Jabal al Zawiyah in southern Idlib, reportedly killed four civilians including a woman and child. ‘Several others’ were said to have been injured in the attack, some seriously. SN4HR placed the civilian slightly higher at six deaths, noting that “the town is under the control of…

Summary

Published
1 October 2015
Civilians reported killed
4–6
Civilians reported injured
8
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

30 September 2015

Incident Code

RS0002

Location

الزعفرانة, Za`faranah, Homs, Syria
Fifteen non-combatants were reported killed at the village of Za`faranah in Russia’s first wave of airstrikes in support of the Syrian regime. According to the Syrian state-run news agency SANA, Russian warplanes targeted “ISIS dens” in al-Rastan, Talbiseh and Zafaraniya in Homs province; Al-Tilol al-Hmer, in Qunaitra province; Aydoun, a village on the outskirts of…

Summary

Published
30 September 2015
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
15
Civilians reported injured
46
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident