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

2 January 2018

Incident Code

RS2837

Location

سراقب, Saraqeb, Idlib, Syria
A bakery was hit with alleged Russian warplanes, causing the death of one civilian and the injury of another in Saraqeb. Most sources reported that Russian warplanes were to blame for the raids. DCHRS however reported that a civilian was "was shot by unknown source". The bakery was reportedly rendered out of use, and there…

Summary

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

Incident Date

2 January 2018

Incident Code

RS2833

Location

اورم الجوز, Urme Al-Jooz, Idlib, Syria
One man was killed, and as many as five civilians were injured  - including a woman - in airstrikes on Urme Al-Jooz, local sources reported. Only two sources blamed Russian raids, while the others did not attribute blame. Footage published shows fires engulfing infrastructure. The Syrian Civil Defence wrestled to put out the flames. Local…

Summary

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

Incident Date

2 January 2018

Incident Code

RS2834

Location

اورم الكبرى, Urme Al-Kobra, Idlib, Syria
A single source reported that civilians were "killed and wounded by raids of warplanes are likely to be Russian on the town of Urme Al-Kubra south Idlib". There are no other details at this time.

Summary

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

Incident Date

2 January 2018

Incident Code

RS2838

Location

عربين, Arbeen, Damascus, Syria
One was killed and several civilians were wounded - including women and children - in a continuous air and artillery bombardment which hit the residential neighbourhood of Arbeen, local media reported. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. Many blamed Russia, some blamed the Syrian regime and others remained impartial. @syriahr - who…

Summary

Published
2 January 2018
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2–17
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

2 January 2018

Incident Code

RS2835

Location

خان السبل, Khan Al-Subul, Idlib, Syria
Local media reported a "massacre" whereby as many and seven civilians died and dozens more were wounded in Khan Al-Subul. Most sources blamed Russia, however some blamed the Syrian regime. A number of sources reported sighting warplanes but did not identify them. The warplanes struck residential homes, according to local media, with seven consecutive raids,…

Summary

Published
2 January 2018
Civilians reported killed
5–7
Civilians reported injured
10–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

31 December 2017

Incident Code

RS2829

Location

كفرسجنة, Kafr Sajneh, Idlib, Syria
Between five and eight civilians, including children and women, were killed and "dozens" were left wounded following heavy aerial shelling in Kafr Sajneh, Idlib, carried out by either the Syrian regime or Russia, local sources reported. There were reports that a popular market as well as homes in the town were struck. The reported death…

Summary

Published
31 December 2017
Civilians reported killed
5–8
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident