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

10 February 2018

Incident Code

RS3011

Location

معصران, Ma'saran, Idlib, Syria
Alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime warplanes struck the eastern town of Ma'saran, Idlib, reportedly wounding several civilians, local media reported. Step News Agency reported how multiple Idlib towns were subject to "several air raids with rockets and explosive barrels targeting" on February 10th, including Ma'saran. Meanwhile, Syria_Omar and Masar Press Net, who both posted the same…

Summary

Published
10 February 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

10 February 2018

Incident Code

RS3010

Location

الصرمان, al-Sarman, Idlib, Syria
In this single-source event, Sham News Network reported about wounded civilians following a joint Russian-Assad aerial shelling of al-Sarman, Idlib. The source reported that incident was a part of a larger operation in multiple Idlib towns as "Russian and Asiad military aircraft launched dozens of air raids on the cities and towns of Jarjanaz, Rayyan, Ma’saran,…

Summary

Published
10 February 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

10 February 2018

Incident Code

RS3012

Location

التمانعة, Taman'a, Idlib, Syria
Alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime warplanes struck the town of Taman'a, Idlib, reportedly wounding several civilians, local media reported. Sham News Network reported how "Russian and Asiad military aircraft launched dozens of air raids," wounding civilians in multiple towns across eastern Idlib on February 10th, including Taman'a. While other sources provided similar reported, it was only Sham News…

Summary

Published
10 February 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

9 February 2018

Incident Code

RS3006

Location

كفرحلب, Kafr Halab, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
An unspecified number of civilians were wounded, some possibly killed, as an alleged Russian airstrike hit the Aleppo town of Kafr Halab, local media reported. According to all of the available reports, a number of civilians were left wounded as the town of Kafr Halab was struck. However, Aleppo24 reported that civilians were both "killed and…

Summary

Published
9 February 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
0–2
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

9 February 2018

Incident Code

RS3007

Location

قرية حاس, Haas, Idlib, Syria
In this major event, described by many as "massacre", alleged Russian airstrikes in Haas, Idlib, killed between five and 17 civilians, including children and women as well wounding up to dozens, local media reported. Enab Baladi reported that the shelling in Haas was a part of a larger Russian offensive in the Idlib province, and…

Summary

Published
9 February 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
5–17
Civilians reported injured
15–25
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

8 February 2018

Incident Code

RS3001

Location

Douma, Damascus, Syria
Russian and/or Syrian regime warplanes carried out airstrikes in Douma, eastern Ghouta in Damascus, killing between four and eight civilians, including one woman and one child, as well as wounding several others, local media reported. Reports mentioned heavy shelling in several parts of eastern Ghouta around February 8th, 2018, including the shelling of Douma. The…

Summary

Published
8 February 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
4–8
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident