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

29 January 2018

Incident Code

RS2939

Location

الصناعية, Sina'iya , Idlib, Syria
Two to seven civilians were injured in airstrikes which hit an industrial area in Sina'iya, according to local media. Sources all attributed the blame to Moscow. Rockets ad missiles allegedly "targeted" the vicinity, however there were no civilian deaths. Three women and three children were included in the number of wounded. There are no other…

Summary

Published
29 January 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
2–7
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

28 January 2018

Incident Code

RS2934

Location

كفرنبل, Kafr Nabil, Idlib, Syria
Two raids killed as many as two civilians in Kafr Nabil, according to local media. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, some attributing blame to Russia, while Violations Documentation Centre amongst others blame the Syrian regime. According to media, as many as ten civilians were also injured in the raids, including three…

Summary

Published
28 January 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
10
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

28 January 2018

Incident Code

RS2933

Location

كفرزيتا, al Sayyad street. Kafr Zeita, Hama, Syria
A woman was killed and several others were injured in airstrikes on Kafr Zeita, according to local media. Sources blamed both the Syrian regime and Russian for the raids. Step reported that "A woman was killed and a number of people were injured as a result of Russian air strikes targeting the town of Kafr…

Summary

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

Incident Date

28 January 2018

Incident Code

RS2935

Location

مصطفى الشيخ, Mustafa Sheikh, Idlib, Syria
As many as two civilians were killed and others were injured in airstrikes on Mustafa Sheikh, according to local media. Sources blamed both the Syrian regime and Russia for the raids. There is confusion over whether one adult male died or one child. No sources point to two civilian deaths, however some sources differed while…

Summary

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

Incident Date

28 January 2018

Incident Code

RS2937

Location

سراقب, Saraqeb, Idlib, Syria
Nine civilians were killed, and dozens more were wounded, in airstrikes which hit a residential neighbourhood in Saraqeb in the morning, according to local media. Sources blamed both the Syrian regime and Russian warplanes for the airstrikes. According to sources, warplanes and helicopters hit the vicinity with more than 40 raids, with four explosive barrels.…

Summary

Published
28 January 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
6–9
Civilians reported injured
16–20
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

28 January 2018

Incident Code

RS2936

Location

معرةالنعمان, Ma'arat Nu'man, Idlib, Syria
Between five and seven civilians were killed, and dozens were injured, in airstrikes on Ma'arat Nu'man, according to local media. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame for the raids. Many blamed Russia, while some media reported that the Syrian regime were responsible. Sources reported that C5 missiles struck the residential homes in…

Summary

Published
28 January 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
5–7
Civilians reported injured
10–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident