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

18 January 2018

Incident Code

RS2909

Location

سراقب, Saraqeb, Idlib, Syria
A baby was "burned" to death and as many as 12 others civilians were injured, in alleged napalm bomb strikes which hit the residential neighbourhood of Saraqeb, according to local media. All sources attributed Moscow to blame for the strikes. Sources reported that "dozens of strikes" struck "blood bank", also known as medical facilities. The…

Summary

Published
18 January 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2–12
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

18 January 2018

Incident Code

RS2910

Location

معرة النعمان, Ma'ara Al-Nu'man, Idlib, Syria
A mother and her two children were killed when alleged napalm bombs struck their home in Ma'ara Al-Nu'man, according to local media. Sources all attributed the blame to Moscow. A number of civilians were also wounded in the raid, with one source reporting that as many as eight civilians received wounds. Footage published shows a…

Summary

Published
18 January 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
8
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 January 2018

Incident Code

RS2903

Location

الحامدية, Al-Hamdiya, Idlib, Syria
One civilian was killed, and an elderly man and child were reportedly injured, by alleged Russian warplanes in Al-Hamdiya, according to local media. All local media reported that Russian warplanes were to blame. Orient News reported that there was material damage to civilian homes. Footage shows members of the Syrian Civil Defence rescuing the wounded…

Summary

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

Incident Date

17 January 2018

Incident Code

RS2904

Location

الزربة, Al-Zerba, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
One to two civilians were wounded in airstrikes which struck Al-Zerba, Aleppo, according to local media. Sources all blamed Russian warplanes for the strikes. Thiqa News Agency reported that two raids "targeted" civilian homes in the early hours of the morning. Members of the Syrian Civi Defence were quick to rescue casualties and take them…

Summary

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

Incident Date

17 January 2018

Incident Code

RS2905

Location

سراقب, south of Saraqeb, Idlib, Syria
A father and child were killed, and as many as seven others were wounded in airstrikes on Saraqeb, according to local media. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, with most attributing blame to Russia, however @AsadSouria blamed the Syrian regime. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that "unknown warplanes" were to blame…

Summary

Published
17 January 2018
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
5–7
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 January 2018

Incident Code

RS2906

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Shekhoun, Idlib, Syria
A child was injured when two alleged Russian warplanes struck Khan Shekhoun, according to local media. All sources reported that Russia was to blame, except @SyriaCivilDefe who tweeted that unknown warplanes were to blame. There were no reports of civilian deaths. According to @SyriaCivilDefe "cluster bombs and rockets containing incendiary materials" were used on the…

Summary

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