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

8 May 2018

Incident Code

RS3418

Location

النقير, Al Naqir, Idlib, Syria
Between one and three civilians were killed and several more were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Al Naqir in Idlib Governorate on May 8th 2018. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that three of those killed were children, who according to the Syrian Network, were from the same family. Sources…

Summary

Published
8 May 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1–3
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

6 May 2018

Incident Code

RS3416

Location

بلدة حيان, Hayan, Aleppo, Syria
Two children were locally reported killed when a bomb exploded in the town of Hayan, Aleppo Governorate. According to the Syrian Civil Defence, the cluster bomb that exploded was allegedly a remnant of earlier airstrikes, for which multiple sources blame Russian warplanes. The victims, two young brothers, were named as Firas Amor Orso and Amor…

Summary

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

Incident Date

6 May 2018

Incident Code

RS3417

Location

Jisr al-Shughour, Idlib, Syria
Three or four civilians were killed and several others were wounded by airstrikes on the town of Jisr al Shoughour in Idlib Governorate on May 6th 2018. Women and children were reportedly among the casualties. A Baladi News correspondent added that civil defence teams rushed to the site after the strikes to rescue the injured…

Summary

Published
6 May 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Civilians reported injured
6–24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

4 May 2018

Incident Code

RS3414

Location

أرينبة, Arinba, Idlib, Syria
Up to four civilians were killed and as many as five more - including three women - were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Arinba in Idlib Governorate on May 4th 2017, local media reported. The Smart News Agency reported: "A civilian was killed and five others injured on Saturday night May…

Summary

Published
4 May 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1–4
Civilians reported injured
2–5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

4 May 2018

Incident Code

RS3413

Location

الباغوز, Al Baghouz, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Airstrikes allegedly conducted by Russian forces reportedly killed three civilians in the village of Al Baghouz on the Syrian-Iraqi border in Deir Ezzor Governorate. The strikes took place on May 4th 2018. Smart news was the only source to report these strikes, and cited in its summary that it received information from "a local source"…

Summary

Published
4 May 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

4 May 2018

Incident Code

RS3415

Location

قرية النقير, Al Naqir, Idlib, Syria
The village of Al Naqir in Idlib Governorate was hit by airstrikes on May 4th 2018, killing between four and six civilians, and wounding between two and 24 others, local media reported. The list of casualties included women and children. Sources said that Russian forces were likely responsible for the strikes. The Syrian Network for…

Summary

Published
4 May 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
4–6
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident