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

3 February 2018

Incident Code

RS2968

Location

خان السبل, Khan al-Subul, Idlib, Syria
In this incident, described as a "massacre", alleged Russian cluster bombs killed between seven and ten civilians, including up to five children and one woman, and up to dozens of others, as the village of Khan al-Subul, Idlib, was struck by airstrikes on February 3, 2018, local media reported. Step News Agency reported how "the…

Summary

Published
3 February 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
7–10
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

3 February 2018

Incident Code

RS2969

Location

كفر عميم, Kafr Amam, Idlib, Syria
An alleged Russian warplane carried out airstrikes in the village of Kafr Amam, Idlib, local media reported, which, according to one source, wounded three civilians. Several sources reported how the village of Kafr Amam was hit by, which all sources, identified, Russian forces. The Twitter account Shafii cited the local council who declared the village completely…

Summary

Published
3 February 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

3 February 2018

Incident Code

RS2966

Location

معصران, Ma'saran, Idlib, Syria
A family of seven; a father, a mother and five children, were killed and the sixth sibling was left seriously wounded, local media reported, following aerial shelling of Ma'saran, Idlib, though sources were unclear as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime was to blame. Most sources reported that the event had killed a family of…

Summary

Published
3 February 2018
Civilians reported killed
7
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

2 February 2018

Incident Code

RS2965

Location

معرة النعمان, Ma’arat Al-Nu’man, Idlib, Syria
An unspecified number of civilians were wounded in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on an ancient museum in Ma’arat al-Nu'man, local media reported. According to Enabbaladi, "an air strike carried out by a military aircraft belonging to the Assad forces yesterday, Tuesday, January 2, targeted the archaeological museum in the city of Ma’arat…

Summary

Published
2 January 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

2 February 2018

Incident Code

RS2961

Location

الغدفة, Al-Ghadafa, Idlib, Syria
One civilian was killed and several others injured as aerial and/or artillery shelling hit the town of Al-Ghadafa, Idlib, local media reported - though it was unclear how to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. Both Smart News Agency and Step News Agency reported that strikes believed to have been carried out…

Summary

Published
2 February 2018
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

2 February 2018

Incident Code

RS2962

Location

جسر الشغور, Jisir Al-Shoghour, Idlib, Syria
Three civilians were wounded in the city of Jisr al-Shughour, Idlib, either due to airstrikes, carried out by Russia, or artillery attack, carried out by the Syrian regime, local media reported. Smart News Agency quoted activists who said that "warplanes likely to be Russian launched four raids on the city of Jisr al-Shughour", leaving three…

Summary

Published
2 February 2018
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident