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

30 January 2018

Incident Code

RS2946

Location

كفرزيتا, Kafr Zeita, Hama, Syria
An unspecified number of civilians were wounded in airstrikes on Kafr Zeita, according to local media. Sources all attributed the blame to Russia. According to sources such as Al Latamna youth group, the raids struck a hospital, wounding patients at the vicinity. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

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

Incident Date

30 January 2018

Incident Code

RS2947

Location

حران, Harran, Idlib, Syria
An unspecified number of civilians were wounded in airstrikes which hit Harran, according to local media. Although no sources blamed the Syrian regime, all attributing blame to Russia, Baladi news Network reported that "The Russian and Syrian air force planes and helicopters launched a series of rocket, napalm and barrel attacks Explosive since dawn today…

Summary

Published
30 January 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

29 January 2018

Incident Code

RS2940

Location

سراقب, Saraqeb, Idlib, Syria
In the first out of a series of three intensive raids in Idlib on the 29th, as many as 14 civilians were killed, and up to 25 were injured, in an attack on a potato market, according to local media. Sources blamed both the Syrian regime and Russia for these strikes. Euphrates Post reported that…

Summary

Published
29 January 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
7–14
Civilians reported injured
10–25
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

29 January 2018

Incident Code

RS2941

Location

مشفى سراقب, Saraqeb Hospital, Idlib, Syria
In a second round of strikes on the 29th, a charity hospital supported by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) was reportedly  hit in an aerial attack by alleged Russian warplanes, killing as many as five civilians and wounding others. Sources all attributed the blame to Moscow. Wounded civilians from a raid on the potato market (see…

Summary

Published
29 January 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
1–5
Civilians reported injured
5–6
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

29 January 2018

Incident Code

RS2938

Location

سراقب, Saraqeb, Idlib, Syria
In the third in a set of raids on Saraqeb, as many as three civilians were killed in strikes on the outskirts of the city, according to local media. Sources all attributed the blame to Russia. Media reported that there were four raids on the outskirts of Saraqeb, and as many as three died, including…

Summary

Published
29 January 2018
Civilians reported killed
1–3
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

29 January 2018

Incident Code

RS2942

Location

معصران, Ma'saran, Idlib, Syria
As many as 12 civilians were killed, including a family of five, and dozens more were injured, in airstrikes on Ma'saran, according to local media. Sources either blamed Moscow for the strikes or "warplanes". In raids which struck civilian housing, a mother and her four children were killed, in the middle of the night. Euphrates…

Summary

Published
29 January 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
5–12
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident