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

26 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3324

Location

حرش الهبيط, Harsh Al Habit, Idlib, Syria
Civilians were possibly injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Harsh Al Habit, Idlib governorate, on March 26th, 2018, according to Shaam News Network. @IdlibPlus tweeted that "Russian warplanes targeted several raids on the outskirts of the town of Harsh Habit in the southern countryside of Idlib." @HalabTodayTV's correspondent also reported Russian airstrikes on…

Summary

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

Incident Date

26 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3325

Location

النقير, Al Naqir, Idlib, Syria
A number of civilians were reported injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Naqir in Idlib, Syria on March 26th, 2018 according to local sources. According to @IdlibPlus: "Russian warplanes, using vacuum missiles, targeted the outskirts of Al-Naqir village in southern Idlib countryside." However, only one of the two sources - the Shaam News Network…

Summary

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

Incident Date

26 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3326

Location

حرش عابدين, Harsh Abdin, Idlib, Syria
Civilians were possibly injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Harsh Abdin, Idlib governorate, on March 26th, 2018, according to Shaam News Network. @RFS_mediaoffice reported that "this morning, Russian warplanes attacked the woods of the town of Adbin in the southern Idlib countryside with missiles loaded with cluster bombs." @HadiAlabdallah tweeted that "Russian…

Summary

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

Incident Date

26 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3327

Location

التمانعة, Al Taman'a, Idlib, Syria
Civilians were possibly injured in alleged Russian airstrikes or Syrian regime artillery strikes on the town of Al Taman'a, Idlib governorate, on March 26th, 2018, according to Shaam News Network. @Wateen_media reported that "Russian occupation aviation targets the vicinity of the town of Al Taman'a with several airstrikes with vacuum missiles." @RFS_mediaoffice, however, reported Syrian…

Summary

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

Incident Date

26 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3321

Location

أريحا, Ariha, Idlib, Syria
Civilians were possibly wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Ariha, Idlib governorate, on March 26th, 2018, according to Shaam News Network. Shaam News Network reported the following: “Russian aircraft launched fierce air raids on the cities and towns of Ariha, Al Taman’a, Harsh Abidin, Al Naqir, Harsh Al Habit in the southern countryside,…

Summary

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

Incident Date

26 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3328

Location

القادرية, Al Qadriya, Idlib, Syria
A 12-year-old girl reportedly died due to a heart attack as she escaped her school in the village of Al Qadriya when the area was targeted by alleged Russian or Syrian regime warplanes. @mohanadalshekh reported that Lujain Rashid (12) from Al Qadriya village in Jisr Al-Shughour countryside died "as a result of the stopping of the…

Summary

Published
26 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Accidents related to conflict
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident