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

29 December 2017

Incident Code

RS2826

Location

معرة النعمان, Ma'arat Nu'man, Idlib, Syria
As many as three civilians were killed, and three to five others were wounded, in airstrikes which struck a residential neighbourhood and market in Ma'arat Nu'man, according to local media. Sources blamed both the Syrian regime and Russian warplanes. Dw News also reported that a hospital was partially damaged in the raid, however they were…

Summary

Published
29 December 2017
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
2–3
Civilians reported injured
3–5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

29 December 2017

Incident Code

RS2823

Location

زكاة, Zakat, Hama, Syria
Two to three civilians were injured by alleged Russian aircraft bombing in Zakat, local media reported. Sources all blamed Russian warplanes for the strikes. @HamahNow reported that "one woman and two children" were wounded. Shbaballatamneh3 added that the bombing by Russian warplanes included the use of missiles. According to Arab48, "Russian warplanes launched a series of…

Summary

Published
29 April 2017
Civilians reported injured
2–3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

28 December 2017

Incident Code

RS2821

Location

بابولين, Baboulin, Idlib, Syria
Two or three civilians including two children were killed and an unspecified number were wounded in airstrikes which hit Baboulin, according to local media. Sources blamed both the Syrian regime and Russian warplanes for the raids. According to some sources, Syrian regime helicopters dropped four explosive barrel bombs on the vicinity. Aircraft also allegedly "targeted…

Summary

Published
28 December 2017
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
2–3
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

28 December 2017

Incident Code

RS2822

Location

تحتايا, Tahtaya, Idlib, Syria
Two airstrikes which hit Tahtaya killed three civilians and wounded another three, according to local media. Sources blamed both the Syrian regime and Russian warplanes for the airstrikes. Despite @AjamiNetwork reporting there were no civilian casualties, all other sources reported on civilian harm. According to Baladi News, the victims were pulled out of the rubble…

Summary

Published
28 December 2017
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

28 December 2017

Incident Code

RS2819

Location

الصرمان, Al Sarman, Idlib, Syria
Between two and three civilians were killed, and six others were wounded - including women and children - in airstrikes which struck Al Sarman. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, with both Russian warplanes and Syrian regime helicopters receiving allegations. There is some confusion over how many civilians were killed. The Violations…

Summary

Published
28 December 2017
Civilians reported killed
2–3
Civilians reported injured
3–6
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

28 December 2017

Incident Code

RS2820

Location

المشيرفة, Mushrifah, Idlib, Syria
A mother and between three and five children were killed in airstrikes which "targeted" their home in Mushrifah, local media reported. Sources were conflicted as to who was responsible, with some attributing blame to Moscow, while others pointed to the Syrian regime. Manahi Al Ahmad reported that the victims died as a result of "targeting…

Summary

Published
28 December 2017
Civilians reported killed
4–6
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident