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

26 January 2018

Incident Code

RS2932

Location

الكنايس أو الكنائس, Kanayes or Kana'es, Idlib, Syria
A man and a woman were killed, and one other was injured in airstrikes which hit the vicinity of Kanayes or Kana'es, according to local media. Sources all blamed Russian warplanes for the raids. The bombardement 'targeted the village of churches" in Kanayes or Kana'es with napalm bombs, and RPG's - according to local media.…

Summary

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

Incident Date

22 January 2018

Incident Code

RS2931

Location

سنقرة, Sanqara, Idlib, Syria
As many as eight civilians were killed, and dozens more were wounded, in airstrikes which hit residential housing in Sanqara, local media reported. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, some attributing blame to Russia, while others blamed the Syrian regime. Images show what can only be described as a massacre, with the…

Summary

Published
22 January 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
8
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

22 January 2018

Incident Code

RS2930

Location

الغدفة, Ghadfa, Idlib, Syria
A young man was killed and an unspecified number of others were wounded in airstrikes on Ghadfa, Syria, according to local media. Sources all attributed the blame to Russian warplanes. It is unclear whether the victim was a child or an adult male. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights (SN4HR), a high school…

Summary

Published
22 January 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Education (Secondary School)
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

21 January 2018

Incident Code

RS2923

Location

القرويطة, Al-Qarweta, Hama, Syria
A woman was killed and another was injured in airstrikes which struck the vicinity of Al-Qarweta. All sources either blamed Russian warplanes for the raids or did not attribute blame. Sources reported that the Russian shelling struck the outskirts of the village of Al-Qarweta in Mount Shahshabo. The woman was allegedly displaced. There are no…

Summary

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

Incident Date

21 January 2018

Incident Code

RS2924

Location

ايبلا, Ebla, Idlib, Syria
A civilian was killed when alleged Russian airstrikes struck the University of Ebla, according to local media. Sources all blamed Russian warplanes for the "heavy aerial bombardament" on the vicinity. According to Baladi News there were more than 15 raids on the area which damaged the University building and destroyed its property. There are no…

Summary

Published
21 January 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

21 January 2018

Incident Code

RS2925

Location

زمار, Zammar, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
As many as eleven civilians were killed and four others were wounded in airstrikes which hit Zammar, Aleppo, according to local media. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, most attributing blame to Russia while others blame the Syrian regime. Five civilians were named, including two children and three women, and one unidentified…

Summary

Published
21 January 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
5–11
Civilians reported injured
3–4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident