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

26 December 2017

Incident Code

RS2814

Location

اللطامنة, Lataminah, Hama, Syria
Up to five men were killed in alleged Russian aerial shelling of Lataminah, local media said, though it was unclear whether the victims were a part of the armed opposition or civilians. Several reports, such as HalabTodayTV and @AleppoAMC, reported that the airstrikes "killed and wounded civilians." However, Step News Agency reported that the strikes…

Summary

Published
26 December 2017
Civilians reported killed
2–5
Civilians reported injured
2–7
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26 December 2017

Incident Code

RS2815

Location

رسم العيد, Rasim Al-Abid, Idlib, Syria
An adult male, Mohammad al-Ziab, was killed, and others were wounded, when alleged Russian warplanes struck the Rasim Al-Abid camp for internally displaced people on December 26, 2017. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, with many blaming Russia, but some blaming the Syrian regime. One source states that the bombardments by Russia…

Summary

Published
26 December 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Agriculture, IDP or Refugee Camp
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26 December 2017

Incident Code

RS2816

Location

مزرعة العزيزية, Mazrat Al-Aziziya, Idlib, Syria
Two adult males died in airstrikes by alleged Russian and Syrian regime warplanes in Mazrat Al-Aziziya, local media reported. Sources blamed both said belligerents for the raids. Aljazeera reported that "10 people were killed and dozens injured others this morning in a Russian air bombardment on the towns of Al Taman’a,  Al Dajaj and Al Hamdaniya…

Summary

Published
26 December 2017
Civilians reported killed
2–10
Civilians reported injured
5–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26 December 2017

Incident Code

RS2813

Location

زيتونة, Zaytounah, Idlib, Syria
One adult male was killed and six others were injured - including three women and a man - following airstrikes on Zaytounah refugee camp, according to sources on the ground. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. Only one source blamed Russia, while the others either blamed the Syrian regime or "military warplanes".…

Summary

Published
26 December 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
6
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26 December 2017

Incident Code

RS2817

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria
Two civilians were killed, including a Civil Defense volunteer, in airstrikes that struck civilian housing and a popular market in Khan Sheikhoun, according to local media. Sources blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime for the strikes. Many didn't name a culprit but pointed only to "military aircraft" and "helicopters". Footage published by the Syrian…

Summary

Published
26 December 2017
Infrastructure
Agriculture, Residential, Commerce (Market)
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
5–8
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26 December 2017

Incident Code

RS2818

Location

التمانعة, Taman'a, Idlib, Syria
As many as 12 civilians were killed, and dozens more wounded, in air and artillery strikes which struck the residential neighbourhood of Taman'a. Sources blamed both the Syrian regime and Russian warplanes for the strikes. The Violations Documentation Centre reported that there were two incidents which occurred on the same day in Taman'a, however they…

Summary

Published
28 December 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–12
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident