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

11 January 2018

Incident Code

RS2882

Location

سراقب, Saraqeb, Idlib, Syria
A man was killed and four others were wounded in airstrikes which struck Saraqeb, according to local media. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, most blaming Russia while one sources blamed the Syrian regime. According to local media there was damage to civilian properties, in the "four raids" which struck the vicinity.…

Summary

Published
11 January 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

11 January 2018

Incident Code

RS2884

Location

معرة النعمان, Ma'arat Nu'man, Idlib, Syria
An ambulance driver from Salam Hospital was killed, and as many as seven other civilians were injured, including the Minister of Health in the interim government due to alleged Russian and Syrian regime raids on Ma'arat Nu'man, according to local media. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. Most sources blamed Russia, while…

Summary

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

Incident Date

11 January 2018

Incident Code

RS2883

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria
A mother and son were killed, and two other children were wounded, in airstrikes which struck the vicinity of Khan Sheikhoun, "targeting civilian homes", according to sources on the ground. Local media were conflicted as to who was to blame. Some sources blamed Russia, while others blamed the Syrian regime. According to Edlib Media Centre,…

Summary

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

Incident Date

10 January 2018

Incident Code

RS2881

Location

مورك, Mourk, Hama, Syria
A civilian was killed an an unspecified number of civilians were injured in air and artillery strikes by both Syrian regime and Russian forces, according to sources on the ground. Sources disputed as to who was to blame. According to Smart News, "Russian-made air strikes targeted the town of Morak, killing one civilian and injuring…

Summary

Published
10 January 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

10 January 2018

Incident Code

RS2877

Location

معرة النعمان, Ma'arat Nu'man, Idlib, Syria
Two warplanes killed one to two civilians and wounded others in airstrikes on he residential neighbourhood of Ma'arat Nu'man, local media reported. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. Some attributed blame to Russia, others to the Syrian regime, and one did not attribute blame but reported on the presence of "warplanes". No…

Summary

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

Incident Date

10 January 2018

Incident Code

RS2879

Location

جزرايا, Jazraya, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
A single source reported that there were, "Three martyrs and several wounded as a result of the targeting of the Russian air force in the town of Jazraya in southern rural Aleppo." Despite this, one comment on the post reported that there was nothing in Jazraya on the 10th, and asked the administration to delete…

Summary

Published
10 January 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident