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

8 January 2018

Incident Code

RS2868

Location

تل منس, Tal Mannas, Idlib, Syria
A single source reported that "twelve unidentified civilian martyrs, from Idlib-Talmans, were killed by the indiscriminate bombardment of the Russian Air Force." There are no other details at this time.

Summary

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

Incident Date

7 January 2018

Incident Code

RS2860

Location

ابو الظهور, Abu Al-zuhur, Idlib, Syria
An unspecified number of civilians were killed and wounded following alleged Russian airstrikes on Abu Al-zuhur. Sources either blamed Russian warplanes, or "helicopters", making this a contested event. According to local media, "successive raids" and "heavy shelling" caused "large umbers of dead and wounded" as well as destruction to residential buildings. The raids, which according…

Summary

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

Incident Date

7 January 2018

Incident Code

RS2861

Location

تل الطوقان, Tal Al-Toukan, Idlib, Syria
Five civilians were killed and others were wounded following alleged Russian airstrikes on Tal Al-Toukan near Abu Al-zuhur. Sources either blamed Russian warplanes, the Syrian regime or "helicopters", making this a contested event. According to local media, "successive raids" and "heavy shelling" caused "large umbers of dead and wounded" as well as destruction to residential…

Summary

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

Incident Date

7 January 2018

Incident Code

RS2862

Location

سراقب, Saraqeb, Idlib, Syria
Two civilians were reportedly killed and four others were wounded in airstrikes which struck a camp for Internally Displaced Peoples in Saraqeb in the middle of the night. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, with some sources blaming Russia, while others blamed the Syrian regime. A number of sources also blamed that…

Summary

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

Incident Date

7–8 January, 2018

Incident Code

RS2863

Location

كنصفرة, Kansafra, Idlib, Syria
As many as six civilians were killed - including a family of four - and others were wounded, following alleged Russian airstrikes on a poultry farm in Kansafra. Although most sources attributed the blame to Russian warplanes, some sources blamed "warplanes". One even reported the use of an explosive barrel, indicating Syrian regime participation, making…

Summary

Published
7 January 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Agriculture (Livestock)
Civilians reported killed
2–6
Civilians reported injured
2–14
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

7–8 January, 2018

Incident Code

RS2864

Location

الفعلول, Al-Fa'loul, Idlib, Syria
As many as 21 civilians were killed in alleged Russian and Syrian regime airstrikes on the residential town of Al-Fa'loul, according to sources on the ground. Local media blamed both the Syrian regime and Russian warplanes for the airstrikes. Although most sources report that 12 were killed, the totoal named death count is 16 civilians.…

Summary

Published
7 January 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
12–21
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident