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

RS3350

Location

الزكاة, Al Zakat, 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 Zakat. The strikes reportedly led to an unspecified number of injuries among civilians. Idlib Plus tweeted: "Russian warplanes targeted the village of Zakat in Hama countryside,…

Summary

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

Incident Date

31 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3351

Location

الصخر, Al Sakher, 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 Sakher. The strikes reportedly led to an unspecified number of injuries among civilians.  

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

RS3342

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria
An unspecified number of civilians were wounded in alleged Russian and/or regime airstrikes on Khan Sheikhoun, according to the Shaam News Network. @GenevaUpdates reported that "warplanes bombarded the city of Khan Sheikhoun in Idlib countryside with two air strikes, causing damage to several residential houses, while no injuries were reported." However, the Shaam News Network…

Summary

Published
31 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
0–2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

31 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3352

Location

الزيارة, Al Ziyara, 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 Ziyara. The strikes reportedly led to an unspecified number of injuries among civilians. @JENdKRNgtkxLE7i  also reported Russian airstrikes "with missiles" in Al Ziyara, but did not…

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

RS3353

Location

التوينة, Al-Tuwayna, 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-Tuwayna. The strikes reportedly led to an unspecified number of injuries among civilians. @JENdKRNgtkxLE7i reported that "Russian warplanes targeted a number of bridges in Sahel Al-Ghab. They…

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

RS3360

Location

محمبل, Mhambel, Idlib, Syria
@wateen_media reported that Russian aircraft carried out strikes on "the city of Ariha and the outskirts of the town of Mhambel", but made ne mention of civilian harm. According to the Shaam News Agency, "Russian and Regime warplanes launched dozens of very violent air raids on the cities and towns of Idlib, causing dozens of…

Summary

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