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

9 September 2018

Incident Code

RS3537

Location

اللطامنة, Al Lataminah, Hama, Syria
An unknown number of civilians was wounded in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on a hospital in the city of Al Lataminah on September 9th, 2018, according to local sources. Step News reported that "in addition to a number of Russian raids targeting Al Lataminah, resulting in civilian casualties, the Al Lataminah Hospital was out…

Summary

Published
9 September 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

9 September 2018

Incident Code

RS3538

Location

كفر زيتا, Kfar Zeita, Hama, Syria
One civilian was reported killed and others including his brother injured in Kafar Zeita in Hama on September 9th, 2018 after Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes targeted the town with several barrel bombs, according to local sources. @SyriaCivilDefe identified the victim as Aref al-Hamada and tweeted "The body of the young man Aref al-Hamada was…

Summary

Published
9 September 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

9 September 2018

Incident Code

RS3539

Location

الهبيط, Al-Habit, Idlib, Syria
Two children were reported killed and up to six other civilians were injured in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes on Al-Habit in Idlib on September 9th, 2018, according to local sources. @HadiAlabdallah tweeted "Umayya Ayman Al-Ruz, a displaced girl from the town of Khattab in the Hama countryside. This beautiful baby girl was…

Summary

Published
9 September 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
3–6
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

9 September 2018

Incident Code

RS3540

Location

الزكاة, Al Zakat, Hama, Syria
Civilians were reportedly wounded by alleged Russian or Syrian regime air or artillery strikes on the headquarters of militants in the town of Al Zakat, Hama governorate, on September 9th, 2018, according to local sources. Shaam News Network reported "a number of wounded in the city of Latamina and the villages of Hassraya, Al Sayyad…

Summary

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

Incident Date

9 September 2018

Incident Code

RS3541

Location

حصرايا, Hassraya, Hama, Syria
Civilians were reportedly wounded by alleged Russian or Syrian regime air or artillery strikes on the town of Hassraya, Hama governorate, on September 9th, 2018, according to local sources. Shaam News Network reported “a number of wounded in the city of Latamina and the villages of Hassraya, Al Sayyad and Al Zakat”, as the result…

Summary

Published
9 September 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

9 September 2018

Incident Code

RS3536

Location

الصياد, Al Sayyad, Hama, Syria
Civilians were reportedly wounded by alleged Russian air or artillery strikes on the village of Al Sayyad, Hama governorate, on September 9th, 2018, according to Shaam News Network. Shaam News Network reported “a number of wounded in the city of Latamina and the villages of Hassraya, Al Sayyad and Al Zakat”, as the result of…

Summary

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