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

12 October 2018

Incident Code

RS3549

Location

عندان, Anadan, Aleppo, Syria
A child was killed in the explosion of the remnants of a cluster bomb from earlier alleged Russian airstrikes on the city of Adanan, Aleppo governorate, on October 12th, 2018, according to local sources. It is unclear when the raid took place. @MasarPressNet tweeted that "a child was martyred when a cluster bomb exploded from the…

Summary

Published
12 October 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Planted explosives and unexploded ordnance (UXO)
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

6 October 2018

Incident Code

RS3548

Location

الحميدية, Al-Hamidiya, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Three civilians were killed and others were wounded in airstrikes on Al-Hamidiya, local media reported. Sources attributed the blame to both Russia and the Syrian regime. A man and his son were killed. One source suggests that the victims were killed in a strike on Al Ashara water crossing, about 60KM away from Al Hamidiya…

Summary

Published
6 October 2017
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

3 October 2018

Incident Code

RS3547

Location

تل باجر, Tal Bajir, Aleppo , Aleppo, Syria
Two boys were injured when an unexploded cluster bomb of a previous alleged Russian air raid exploded in the village of Tal Bajir, Aleppo governorate, on October 3rd, 2018, according to local sources. The bomb was reportedly fired a year before it exploded. @neoIRT wrote that "two children were injured when a cluster bomb exploded…

Summary

Published
3 October 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Planted explosives and unexploded ordnance (UXO)
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

19 September 2018

Incident Code

RS3546

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Ma'arat al-Numan, Syria
A child was killed and four other children injured when a cluster bomb exploded in Khan Sheikhoun on September 19th, 2018, according to local sources. The victim was identified as Abdullah Mahmoud Al-Salmu. @24Idlib tweeted "The child Abdullah Mahmoud Al-Salmu was killed and four other children were wounded by a bomb explosion from the remnants…

Summary

Published
19 September 2018
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

10 September 2018

Incident Code

RS3545

Location

كفر زيتا, Kfar Zeita, Hama, Syria
Alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes on Kfar Zeita in Hama reportedly led to death and/or injuries among civilians on September 10th, 2018. Shaam Network reported "Assad’s and Russian warplanes and helicopters launched intensive air raids accompanied by heavy artillery and missile attacks on the towns and villages of Latamna, Kfar Zeita, Lufayyat, Al-Obeida,…

Summary

Published
10 September 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

9 September 2018

Incident Code

RS3543

Location

محافظة حماه, Hama Governorate, Syria
Local sources reported that a number of civilians were killed and injured in a group of towns in Hama on September 9th, 2018 as a result of Russian forces and Syrian regime operations there. Shaam Network reported "The Russian planes, the warlords and the helicopter continued to launch heavy air raids on the cities and…

Summary

Published
9 September 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2
Military actors reported killed
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident