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

20 January 2018

Incident Code

RS2919

Location

لوف, Lowef, Idlib, Syria
Between one and five civilians were killed, and seven others were injured, in airstrikes on Lowef, according to local media. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, with some attributing blame to Russia, while others blamed the Syrian regime. Sources described the strikes as "intensive shelling" by both "Russian and Syrian planes" -…

Summary

Published
20 January 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1–5
Civilians reported injured
2–7
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

20 January 2018

Incident Code

RS2920

Location

الخوص, Al-Khous, Idlib, Syria
An unspecified number of civilians were killed and wounded in airstrikes on Al-Khous, according to local media. Both sources reported that Russia was to blame for the strikes. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

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

Incident Date

20 January 2018

Incident Code

RS2921

Location

بجخاص, Bejghas, Idlib, Syria
An unspecified number of civilians were killed and wounded in airstrikes on Bejghas, according to local media. Both sources reported that Russia was to blame for the strikes. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

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

Incident Date

19 January 2018

Incident Code

RS2917

Location

معرةالنعمان, Ma'arat Nu'man, Idlib, Syria
Two civilians were killed, including a woman and a child, in airstrikes on Ma'arat Nu'man, according to local media. Both sources blamed Russian warplanes for the strikes. Both civilians were unidentified. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

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

Incident Date

19 January 2018

Incident Code

RS2911

Location

Kafr Nbooda, Hama, Syria
One man was reported as wounded by local media, due to alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafr Nbooda. Both sources attributed blame to Russia. Step News Agency reported that "several air raids targeting the farms", resulting in an unspecified number of wounded civilians. Smart reported that one man was wounded in the raids. There are no…

Summary

Published
19 January 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Agriculture
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

19 January 2018

Incident Code

RS2912

Location

Mar Hatet, Idlib, Syria
An adult male was killed and an unspecified number of civilians were wounded in airstrikes on Mar Hatet, according to local media. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. All sources blamed Russian warplanes, however Violations Documentation Centre blamed the Syrian regime and its associates. The three raids which struck the residential area…

Summary

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