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

1 April 2018

Incident Code

RS3369

Location

القنبة, Al Qanba, Idlib, Syria
Shaam reported: "Russian aircraft launched heavy air strikes resulting in the fall of martyrs and wounded in the cities and towns of Ariha and Khan Sheikoun and Urma Al Jouz and Al Qanba and Kafr Lata and Hazarin and Hamdiyah and Ma’aret Horma in the the southern countryside and the city of Jisr al-Shughour in…

Summary

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

Incident Date

1 April 2018

Incident Code

RS3375

Location

حزارين, Hazarin, Idlib, Syria
The Russian air force allegedly bombed the village of Hazarin in the Idlib countryside on April 1, 2018, possibly killing and injuring civilians. According to Shaam, "Russian aircraft launched heavy air strikes caused the fall of martyrs and wounded in the cities and towns of Ariha and Khan Sheikoun and Urma Al Jouz and Al…

Summary

Published
1 April 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
0–2
Civilians reported injured
0–2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

1 April 2018

Incident Code

RS3370

Location

معرة حرمة, Ma’ret Harma, Idlib, Syria
According to Shaam, "Russian aircraft launched heavy air strikes caused the fall of martyrs and wounded in the cities and towns of Ariha and Khan Sheikoun and Urma Al Jouz and Al  Qanba and Kafr Lata and Hazarin and Hamdiyah and Ma’aret Horma in the southern countryside and the city of Jisr al-Shughour in the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

1 April 2018

Incident Code

RS3371

Location

قرية جوزيف, Joseph Village, Idlib, Syria
A woman was killed and several other civilians were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on the town of Joseph in the Idlib countryside, local sources reported. A high-explosive missile hit the outskirts of the town wounding the woman. She was rushed to hospital by civil defense teams but died upon arrival. Several civilians were…

Summary

Published
1 April 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

1 April 2018

Incident Code

RS3372

Location

أريحا, Ariha, Idlib, Syria
Several air raids on the town of Ariha in Idlib province killed up to 12 civilians and injured many others, according to local sources. Missiles “dismantled” the Al-Ameen Medical Complex at around 11am, wounding two medical staff and damaging five emergency vehicles, Baladi News reported. The hospital provided primary health care, a dialysis center and…

Summary

Published
1 April 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
2–12
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

1 April 2018

Incident Code

RS3365

Location

التلاتا, Al Talata, Idlib, Syria
Russian aircraft allegedly launched several air raids on the village of Al Talata, local media reported. According to Step," Russian aircraft launched several air raids targeting the city of Jericho and the towns of Talat and Urm al-Joz in the countryside # Idlib, resulting in the  a number of dead and wounded." The source didn't…

Summary

Published
1 April 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
0–2
Civilians reported injured
0–2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident