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

5 January 2018

Incident Code

RS2846

Location

الغدقة, al Ghadka, Idlib, Syria
One or two civilians including a child died in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on al Ghadka, local media reported. According to @shahed-alep, "two were killed and wounded as a result of helicopters targeting the town of al Ghardka in the countryside of Idlib". Sources named Taj al- Din al- Othman Madani, an adult male,…

Summary

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

Incident Date

5 January 2018

Incident Code

RS2847

Location

مسرابا, Masraba, Damascus, Syria
Warplanes struck the residential neighbourhood of Masraba, killing one man and wounding dozens of civilians, local media reported. Sources blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime. Dozens of civilians were allegedly injured, including two children and three women. @Halap-today tweeted that the renewed Russian airstrikes hit Masraba, Madera and Irbid. They did not report on…

Summary

Published
5 January 2018
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
9–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

5 January 2018

Incident Code

RS2845

Location

مالحة, Malha, Idlib, Syria
At least one civilian was killed and others were wounded in airstrikes which struck Malha, according to local media. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, most attributing blame to Russia, while one source blamed the Syrian regime. However, the Step News Agency blamed both belligerents. They did not report on any civilian…

Summary

Published
5 January 2018
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

5 January 2018

Incident Code

RS2848

Location

عربين, Arbeen, Damascus, Syria
Three civilians were killed and dozens more were wounded in air and artillery strikes which hit Arbeen, local media reported. Sources blamed both the Syrian regime and Russia for the raids. Baladi News was the only source to specify that three civilians were killed. According to the Smart News Agency, an entire family was killed…

Summary

Published
5 January 2018
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

3 January 2018

Incident Code

RS2844

Location

مشفى السلام,, Ma'arat Nu'man - Al Salam hospital, Idlib, Syria
An alleged Russian ore regime airstrike hit Ma'arat Nu'man's Al Salam hospital, killing up to five civilians including a newly born baby, according to sources on the ground. RFS put the death toll at two with 10 more wounded. Alquds blamed the regime, reporting that the hospital was put out of service, and that a man…

Summary

Published
3 January 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
2–5
Civilians reported injured
10
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

3–4 January, 2018

Incident Code

RS2841

Location

عربين, Arbeen, Damascus, Syria
The Smart News Agency reported: "The Civil Defense in the countryside of Damascus said six civilians from one family, including two children and a woman, were killed and others injured, as a result of Russian raids overnight on residential neighborhoods in the city of Arbeen.". The Step News Agency also put the death toll at…

Summary

Published
3 January 2018
Civilians reported killed
6
Civilians reported injured
2
Military actors reported killed
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident