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

17 February 2018

Incident Code

RS3025

Location

مورك, Mourk, Hama, Syria
Several civilians were left wounded as aerial and/or artillery shelling struck Mourk, Hama, local sources reported. It was unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime was to blame. Sources reported both air and artillery strikes, adding that "a number" of civilians were left wounded. According to the sources, no civilians were killed by the shelling.…

Summary

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

Incident Date

17 February 2018

Incident Code

RS3026

Location

كفرزيتا, Kaarzeta, Hama, Syria
Several civilians were possibly left wounded as aerial and/or artillery shelling struck Kaarzeta, Hama, local sources reported. Numerous sources reported how the village of Kaarzeta had been subject to aerial, and possibly also artillery shelling, the latter reported by Hamah Now. Horrya News said that unidentified warplanes struck a hospital in the village.    

Summary

Published
17 February 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 February 2018

Incident Code

RS3027

Location

اللطامنة, al-Lataminah, Hama, Syria
Several civilians were possibly left wounded as aerial and/or artillery shelling struck al-Lataminah, Hama, local sources reported, who pointed to Russia as responsible. Numerous sources reported how al-Lataminah had been subject to aerial, and possibly also artillery shelling, the latter reported by Hamah Now. However, it was unclear among the sources whether the incident resulted…

Summary

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

Incident Date

17 February 2018

Incident Code

RS3028

Location

حزانو, Hazano, Idlib, Syria
Up to three civilians, all children, were killed and as many as seven, including women and children, were wounded as alleged Russian warplanes struck the village of Hazano, Idlib, local media reported. The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SN4HR) reported that the air raids had hit "near al Kabir Mosque in Hazano village" Like the…

Summary

Published
17 February 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1–3
Civilians reported injured
2–7
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

15 February 2018

Incident Code

RS3023

Location

الموزرة, al-Mozara, Idlib, Syria
Alleged Russian warplanes struck the village of al-Mazara, Idlib, and wounded up to five civilians, including a woman, while leaving parts of the village completely destroyed, local media reported. Smart News Agency reported that "warplanes believed to be Russian" wounded five civilians, including a woman, and added that three houses were destroyed, as the village…

Summary

Published
15 February 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
2–5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

15 February 2018

Incident Code

RS3024

Location

ترملا, Tarmala, Idlib, Syria
Up to six civilians, including two Civil Defence members, were killed, and as many as five were wounded as alleged Russian warplanes struck Tarmala, Idlib, local media reported. Smart News Agency, who cited local activists, said that a Russian missile targeted the Civil Defense team as they were approaching a military headquarters in the village…

Summary

Published
15 February 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1–6
Civilians reported injured
1–5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident