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

3 May 2018

Incident Code

RS3412

Location

سراقب, Saraqeb, Idlib, Syria
One child was killed and two others were injured when the remnants of a cluster bomb earlier dropped on Saraqeb, Idlib exploded. Local sources alleged that the bomb was a remnant of an earlier airstrike allegedly conducted by Russian forces over the city. Idlib Media Centre for example noted "A martyr and two wounded by…

Summary

Published
3 May 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

2 May 2018

Incident Code

RS3410

Location

مشمشان, Mishmshan, Idlib, Syria
Alleged Russian airstrikes killed between five and eight civilians, including women and children, in the village of Mishmshan in rural Idlib Governorate on May 3rd 2018, according to sources on the ground. Up to a further ten civilians were reportedly injured. Radio Kul and the Syrian Network for Human Rights instead accused the Syrian regime…

Summary

Published
2 May 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
5–8
Civilians reported injured
2–10
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

2 May 2018

Incident Code

RS3411

Location

كفرزيتا, Kafr Zita, Hama, Syria
One woman was reported killed and several other civilians injured, all believed to be medical staff, in alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafr Zita Specialized Hospital in Kafr Zita, Hama, Syria on May 2nd, 2018 according to local sources. Baladi News said the hospital was targeted with four raids. SMART News reported that "Russian warplanes bombed…

Summary

Published
2 May 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Healthcare
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

29 April 2018

Incident Code

RS3406

Location

قرية الزعفرانة, Al Zafarana village, Homs, Syria
A hospital guard was killed in Al Zafarana as Russian and Syrian forces reportedly launched raids on the Homs village. Syrian helicopters hit the local hospital with barrel bombs, according to Smart News, injuring an additional four civilians. An activist loyal to the regime told the news agency that the hospital was targeted to remove…

Summary

Published
29 April 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
3–4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

29 April 2018

Incident Code

RS3407

Location

قرية دير فول, Deir Fool village, Homs, Syria
A civilian was killed and three others injured in an attack on the village of Deir Fool, local sources reported. Smart News reported the involvement of both Syrian and Russian forces in the strike. The news agency said the attack broke a truce negotiated for the northern Homs countryside. Eight planes conducted at least 60…

Summary

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

Incident Date

29 April 2018

Incident Code

RS3409

Location

معرزيتا ومخيم للنازحين بلقرب منها, Marzita and an IDP camp nearby, Idlib, Syria
A male civilian was reported killed and seven others injured in an alleged Russian airstrike or Syrian regime shelling of the al-Walid IDP camp near the town of Marzita in southern Idlib countryside. The rockets came at night, striking a two-room school and many of the inhabited tents, according to Shaam News. The town of…

Summary

Published
29 April 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Infrastructure
Education, IDP or Refugee Camp, Religious (Mosque), Residential
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
7
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident