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

20 December 2017

Incident Code

RS2807

Location

خان العسل, Khan al-Assal, Aleppo, Syria
Two children were reportedly killed and another two were left wounded as the remnants of previous shelling exploded in the town of Khan al-Asal, Aleppo, local media said. HalabTodayTV's correspondent said that it was the remnants of a cluster bomb dropped on a previous day that caused the incident. The Syrian Network for Human Rights…

Summary

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

Incident Date

19 December 2017

Incident Code

RS2805

Location

معرشورين, Ma'ar Shoreen, Idlib, Syria
In what has been described my local media as a "massacre" as many as 20 civilians were killed and up to 35 were wounded, in airstrikes conducted over Ma'ar Shoreen. Nearly all reports of the incident blamed Russia, however one source blamed the Syrian regime making this a contested event. Many of the dead were…

Summary

Published
19 December 2017
Civilians reported killed
8–20
Civilians reported injured
12–35
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

19 December 2017

Incident Code

RS2804

Location

كفر حمرة, Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
One child was killed when remnants of cluster bomb from a previous raid exploded in Kafr Hamra. Only one source blamed Russian airstrikes, while the others didn't name the culprit. It is unclear when the first raids occurred, however all sources reported that the child in question died on December 19th. There were no reported…

Summary

Published
19 December 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

18 December 2017

Incident Code

RS2802

Location

تل عمارة, Tal Amara and Hawa, Idlib, Syria
An unspecified number of civilians were reportedly wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on Tal Amara. All sources blamed Russian warplanes. @insaan_Rights reported that cluster bombs struck the vicinity. There were no reports of civilian deaths.

Summary

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

Incident Date

18–19 December, 2017

Incident Code

RS2803

Location

التح, Al Tah, Idlib, Syria
One girl was killed and two other civilians were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on the residential neighbourhood of Al Tah, according to local media. Images published by a local source, @alathre1989, shows the severe damage to the residential property. Despite most sources reporting that the casualty was a female child, @hish_m_c alleged that she…

Summary

Published
19 December 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2–3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 December 2017

Incident Code

RS2800

Location

تل الطوقان, Tal Al-Toukan, Idlib, Syria
Local media reported that two civilians were wounded in airstrikes which hit Tal Al-Toukan. All three sources blamed Moscow. Step News Agency reported an unspecific number of "civilian casualties" - which could be dead civilians - however they were the only source to report this. One local source reported rocket fire was used. There are…

Summary

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