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

13 January 2018

Incident Code

RS2890

Location

معصران, Ma'saran, Idlib, Syria
A father and son were killed and an unspecified number of civilians were wounded in airstrikes on Ma'saran, according to local media. Sources blamed both the Syrian regime and Russia for the strikes, making this a contested event. According to local media, missiles were used in the strike which "targeted" the residential buildings. As many…

Summary

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

Incident Date

13 January 2018

Incident Code

RS2892

Location

كفرزيتا, Kafr Zeita, Hama, Syria
Two civilians were reportedly wounded in alleged Russian or regime air and artillery strikes which struck Kafr Zeita. There were no reports of any civilian deaths. All sources either blamed Russia, or did not attribute blame to a belligerent. According to local media, Russian aircraft bombarded the vicinity with the use of concussion bombs. Smart…

Summary

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

Incident Date

12 January 2018

Incident Code

RS2886

Location

ابوحبة, Abu Habba and Haran villages, Idlib, Syria
As many as four civilians were killed, and five were wounded in airstrikes which struck civilian housing and a mosque in Abu Habba, according to local media. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. Most sources blamed Moscow, however some local media also blamed the Syrian regime. Additionally, one sources pointed to "military…

Summary

Published
12 January 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2–4
Civilians reported injured
5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12 January 2018

Incident Code

RS2887

Location

الهبيط, Al-Habeet, Idlib, Syria
Two civilians were killed and four others were injured in airstrikes which struck a Aisha Um al Mouminin Mosque and educational building in Al-Habeet just before Friday prayers, according to sources on the ground. Local media lamed both the Syrian regime and Russia for the raids. According to Revolutionary Forces of Syria Media Office, "The…

Summary

Published
12 January 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12–13 January, 2018

Incident Code

RS2888

Location

خان السبل, Khan Alsubul, Idlib, Syria
Between nine and 11 civilians were reported killed in what has been described by local media as a "massacre" on Khan Alsubul. As many as 17 civilians were also claimed wounded in the raids, which occurred in the middle of the night whilst civilians slept. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame fo…

Summary

Published
12 January 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
9–11
Civilians reported injured
10–17
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12 January 2018

Incident Code

RS2885

Location

التمانعة, Taman'a, Idlib, Syria
An unspecified number of civilians were reported killed and wounded by airstrikes in Taman'a. Sources mostly blamed Russian warplanes, however, Shaam reported that both Russia and the Syrian regime were to blame for the strikes. The aerial bombardment, which consisted of rockets and cluster bombs, also struck cities and towns of "Tumana, Khan Shaykhoun, Jirjnaz…

Summary

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