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

10 June 2018

Incident Code

RS3430

Location

رام حمدان, Ram Hamdan, Idlib, Syria
Up to three civilians including a child were killed and eight others injured, some of whom are in critical conditions, in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime forces airstrikes on Ram Hamdan in Idlib, Syria on June 10th, 2018 according to local sources. Step News said that victims include a child (girl), a woman and…

Summary

Published
10 June 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1–3
Civilians reported injured
8
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

10 June 2018

Incident Code

RS3434

Location

أريحا, Ariha, Idlib, Syria
Two children from the same family were killed and a woman injured in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ariha in Idlib, Syria on June 10th, 2018, according to local media sources. The Local Coordination Committees of Syria reported that "Russian airstrikes targeted the city of Ariha in central Idlib countryside, resulting in…

Summary

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

Incident Date

7–8 June, 2018

Incident Code

RS3428

Location

زردنا, Zardana, Idlib, Syria
Up to 52 civilians were reported killed and 100 others, many of whom are in a critical situation, were injured in alleged Russian forces airstrikes on Zardana village in Idlib, Syria, on June 7th, 2018, according to local sources. Among those killed are up to 11 women and 11 children and a health worker. Most…

Summary

Published
7 June 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Healthcare (Clinic), Religious (Mosque), Residential
Civilians reported killed
12–52
Civilians reported injured
50–100
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

2 June 2018

Incident Code

RS3427

Location

بلدة حيان, Hayyan Town, Aleppo, Syria
One civilian was reported killed when a cluster bomb from alleged previous Russian shelling on Hayyan town in Aleppo's western countryside exploded on June 2nd, 2018 according to local sources. Aleppo 24 said that "Mohammed Juma'a Omar Sharaq al-Zait, aged 42, was killed by the explosion of a cluster bomb from previous Russian bombing on…

Summary

Published
2 June 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

1 June 2018

Incident Code

RS3426

Location

جديد بكارة, Jadid Bakara, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A child was reported killed by an cluster bomb believed to have been previously used by Russian warplanes in an airstrike on Jadid Bkara/ Jadid Owaidat in Deir Ezzor countryside in Syria on June 1st, 2018 according to local sources. The sources also mentioned that others civilians were also injured. Step News reported that "a…

Summary

Published
1 June 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

22 May 2018

Incident Code

RS3425

Location

قرية عرب سعيد, Arab Saeed: Idlib-Salqin road, Idlib, Syria
An unknown number of civilians was injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Arab Saeed village on Idlib Salqeen road, Idlib governorate, on May 22nd, 2018, according to local sources. Aneen reported "civilian casualties as a result of the Russian airstrike targeting civilians in the village of Arab Saeed, near the road Idlib…

Summary

Published
22 May 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident