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

20 April 2018

Incident Code

RS3400

Location

مخيم اليرموك, Al Yarmouk refugee camp, Damascus, Syria
Two civilians were reported killed and several others wounded in alleged Syrian regime or Russian forces airstrikes on Al Yarmouk refugee camp in Damascus, Syria on April 20th, 2018, according to local sources. Imad al-Rayyan and Safwan al-Sabbagh  were named as the victims on social media. Step Agency reported that "civilians were killed and others…

Summary

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

Incident Date

20 April 2018

Incident Code

RS3399

Location

قرية أباد, Abad village, Aleppo, Syria
A child was reported killed in Abad village in Aleppo, Syria on April 20th, 2018 after a cluster bomb allegedly from previous Russian forces airstrikes exploded in the village. Shaam Network reported that "a child was killed in the village of Abad in the southern countryside after a cluster bomb remnant of previous Russian airstrike…

Summary

Published
20 April 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

18 April 2018

Incident Code

RS3397

Location

قرية المستريحة, Al Mistriha village, Hama, Syria
Airstrikes on the village of Al Mistriha resulted in wounded civilians, according to local news sources. The attack was attributed to Russian forces by the Local Coordination Committees in Syria, however Smart News reported use of machine guns by Syrian planes. According to Step, "seven people were injured as a result of the air and…

Summary

Published
18 April 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
2–7
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

18 April 2018

Incident Code

RS3398

Location

قرية الخالدية, Al Khaldiya village, Hama, Syria
Russian warplanes attacked the village of Khalidiya in the Hama countryside, according to local sources, injuring a number of civilians. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported violent explosions caused by strikes in the area. According to Step, "Seven people were injured as a result of the air and ground bombardment of the villages of…

Summary

Published
18 April 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
2–7
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 April 2018

Incident Code

RS3396

Location

سوق الهال في كفر نبل, Al Haal Market in Kafr Nabil, Raqqa, Syria
Russian forces reportedly fired three missiles on Al Haal Market in Kafr Nabil, killing one man and injuring three others. The casualty was named as Omar Abdul Majid al Elaiwi, from the village of Sahyan, by the Syrian Network for Human Rights. Although local sources predominantly reported Russian involvement, the Civil Defense Center in the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

16 April 2018

Incident Code

RS3395

Location

معرزيتا, Ma'arzita, Idlib, Syria
A woman was killed and at least three others injured as Russian forces launched several air raids on the town of Ma'arzita, local sources reported. The wounded civilians included her husband and three children, according to Smart News.

Summary

Published
16 April 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
3–4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident