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

31 December 2017

Incident Code

RS2830

Location

الهلبة, al-Halba, Idlib, Syria
One or two civilians, reportedly both children, were killed and several other non-combatants were left wounded following aerial shelling of al-Halba, Idlib, carried out by either Russia or the Syrian regime, local media reported. While most sources reported one fatality, a few sources reported the death of two civilians, such as the Violations Documentation Center…

Summary

Published
31 December 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

31 December 2017

Incident Code

RS2828

Location

معرة النعمان, Ma'ret Al Nu'man, Idlib, Syria
One civilian was killed and several others were left wounded as an alleged Assad or Russian-waged airstrike hit Ma'ret Al Nu'man, Idlib, local media reported. @aladeyeh and Masar Press, who both identified Russia as the culprit, reported one fatality and two wounded. Meanwhile, @OsamaKaial reported that the strike had wounded several civilians. It was the…

Summary

Published
31 December 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

31 December 2017

Incident Code

RS2831

Location

كفر حرمة, Ma’aret Harma, Idlib, Syria
Between one and five civilians, including one woman, were killed and up to "dozens" more were left wounded following aerial shelling of Ma’aret Harma, Idlib, local media reported. Sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. Following the incident, Fresh News' correspondent reported that a woman was…

Summary

Published
31 December 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–5
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

30 December 2017

Incident Code

RS2827

Location

اللطامنة, Lataminah, Hama, Syria
High explosive missiles struck Lataminah, leaving several civilians wounded, according to local media. All sources either attributed blame to Russia, or did not identify a belligerent. Only an unspecifiied number of civilians were reported injured, but there were no reports of fatalities. According to Arab48 News, there was a "heavy bombardment with missile launchers, without…

Summary

Published
30 December 2017
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

29 December 2017

Incident Code

RS2824

Location

الخوين, Al Khwain, Idlib, Syria
An unspecified number of civilians were killed and wounded in air and artillery strikes on Al Khwain, according to reports from the ground. Local sources either attributed the blame to the Syrian regime or to Russia. The only civilian harm allegation is from Step News Agency who reported that "The Russian and Syrian air raids…

Summary

Published
29 December 2017
Civilians reported killed
0–2
Civilians reported injured
0–2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

29 December 2017

Incident Code

RS2825

Location

التمانعة, Al Taman'a, Idlib, Syria
One civilian was injured, and an unspecific number were killed, in air and artillery strikes which struck Al Taman'a, according to sources on the ground. Local media blamed both the Syrian regime and Russian warplanes for the civilian harm. Orient News reported that "helicopters threw several barrels of explosives" on the vicinity. A local source,…

Summary

Published
29 December 2017
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident