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

31 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3358

Location

أريحا, Ariha, Idlib, Syria
Four or five civilians including a woman and her child died and up to nine more civilians were wounded in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on Ariha, local media reported. @shahed_alep: 4 k a number wounded @SyrianCoalition reported "three martyrs and seven wounded in an air strike targeting civilian homes". Other sources put the…

Summary

Published
31 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
4–5
Civilians reported injured
7–9
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

31 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3364

Location

كفر زيتا, Kafar Zeita, Hama, Syria
Alleged Russian and regime air and artillery strikes bombarded Kafar Zeita, multiple local sources said. @syria0891 reported "intense missile strikes", while @SHHAMA2012 tweeted footage showing "four airstrikes, two rockets hitting the city from Camp Bridge and Halfaya, about 45 rockets - and bombing with cluster bombs". According to the Shaam News network, "Russian warplanes carried…

Summary

Published
31 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

31 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3348

Location

اللطامنة, Al Lataminah, Hama, Syria
According to a single source, the Shaam News network, "Russian warplanes carried out heavy air raids accompanied by heavy shelling and shelling on the towns and villages" including Al Lataminah. The strikes reportedly led to an unspecified number of injuries among civilians. RFS Media reported that the "Syrian regime forces targeted  the city of Al…

Summary

Published
31 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

31 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3359

Location

بسنقول, Bsanqoul, Idlib, Syria
Up to eight civilians including five children and three women were reported killed and several others injured in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes on Bsanqoul village in Idlib, Syria on March 31st, 2018 according to local sources. Shaam Network said that Russian warplanes targeted the town of Bsanqoul with several missiles that hit…

Summary

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

Incident Date

31 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3349

Location

مورك, Mourek, Hama, Syria
According to a single source, the Shaam News network, "Russian warplanes carried out heavy air raids accompanied by heavy shelling and shelling on the towns and villages" including Mourek. The strikes reportedly led to an unspecified number of injuries among civilians. Two other sources mentioned strikes by the regime and Russia, but made no mention…

Summary

Published
31 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

31 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3341

Location

مرج الزهور, Marj Al Zouhur, Idlib, Syria
One civilian was reported killed in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime forces on Marj Al Zuhour in Idlib, Syria on March 31st, 2018, according to local sources. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that "Syrian regime warplanes fired a missile on Marj al Zuhour Primary School in Marj al Zuhour village in the…

Summary

Published
31 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident