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

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

2 October 2015

Incident Code

RS0012

Location

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria
At least 19 civilians and as many as 80 – including children and women – were reported killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Bab. According to al Jazeera – which placed the death toll as high as 80 with 200 injured – the attacks were carried out by helicopters, most likely Russian Hind-24 gunships. According…

Summary

Published
2 October 2015
Civilians reported killed
19–80
Civilians reported injured
200
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

2 October 2015

Incident Code

RS0008

Location

تادف, Tadif, Aleppo, Syria
Intense bombardment was reported on the 2nd of October 2016 in and around the province of Aleppo.  In the town of Tadef two people were reported to have been killed as a result raids that were widely blamed on Russia. Only one source, Sada Islamic, blamed the coalition for the strikes publishing photos of the…

Summary

Published
2 October 2015
Civilians reported killed
1–2
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

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

30 September 2015

Incident Code

RS0001

Location

المكرمية, Al Makrmeya, Homs, Syria
The Syrian Network for Human Rights, reported that a Russian airstrike at Al Makrmeya had killed a non-combatant. No other details were given. VDC named an adult male civilian from Makrameih as having been killed by alleged Russian strikes. They also published a graphic photo of his body.  

Summary

Published
30 September 2015
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident