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

16 April 2018

Incident Code

RS3394

Location

معرة حرمة, Ma'aret Harma, Idlib, Syria
Russian aircraft reportedly carried out four air raids on civilian homes in the town of Ma'ra Herma, injuring three civilians, according to local sources.

Summary

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

Incident Date

12 April 2018

Incident Code

RS3393

Location

تل هواش الحميرات, Tal Hwash and Al Hmairat, Hama, Syria
A man was killed and at least four injured as Russian forces reportedly attacked the villages of Tal Hwash and Al Hmairat in central Syria. Basel Mohammad Suleiman al Ali, age 22, was named as the victim by the Syrian Network for Human Rights. The wounded totalled six, according to Fidaa news, including three women,…

Summary

Published
12 April 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
4–6
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

11 April 2018

Incident Code

RS3390

Location

قسطون, Qastoun village, Hama, Syria
An attack on the village of Qastoun in the Hama countryside killed at least four civilians including a woman and children and wounded three others, local sources reported. Two women and three children died, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Smart News said Assad forces used rockets and missiles on the town, with…

Summary

Published
11 April 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
4–5
Civilians reported injured
3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

11 April 2018

Incident Code

RS3391

Location

الحميدية, al Hamidiya, Hama, Syria
Both Assad and Russian forces allegedly struck the village of al Hamidiya in the Hama countryside, according to local sources.. The attack reportedly included artillery shells as well as airstrikes. Local Coordination Committees of Syria reported: "The martyrdom of 4 civilians and wounding of others as a result of the Russian raids on the villages…

Summary

Published
11 April 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1–4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

11 April 2018

Incident Code

RS3392

Location

الشيخ مصطفى, Sheikh Mustafa, Idlib, Syria
Russian forces launched a destructive bombing campaign on the village of Sheik Mustafa, according to local sources, however no civilians were reported killed, though the Shaam News Network said there were a "number of wounded". The Syrian Civil Defense said more than seven airstrikes fell on the town of Sheikh Mustaf and Naqir. This included…

Summary

Published
11 April 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

10 April 2018

Incident Code

RS3389

Location

النقير, Al Naqir, Idlib, Syria
A man and a woman died as four air raids loaded with high-explosive missiles struck civilian houses in the town of Al Naqir, local media reported. The attack was widely attributed to Russian warplanes by local sources. Idlib 24 also reported the involvement of Assad’s forces. It came as Civil Defence teams continued to recover…

Summary

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