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

4,338 – 6,384

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 4,843 separate alleged incidents.

1,145 – 1,394
children likely killed
632 – 766
women likely killed
6,544
likely injured
3,435
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
15,282 – 24,392
Locally reported civilian deaths from Russian Military actions in Syria.
4,843 seperate alleged incidents
Confirmed or Fair
4,338 – 6,384
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by Russian Military
1,344 seperate alleged incidents
Weak
727 – 848
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Weak.
457 seperate alleged incidents
Contested
10,113 – 17,043
Civilian deaths for which the reporting is assessed by Airwars as Contested.
3,027 seperate alleged incidents
Discounted
104 – 117
Civilian deaths were Discounted by Airwars after assessment.
15 seperate alleged incidents
4809 incidents
Order results by:
Incident Date Publication Date

Incident Date

3 October 2018

Incident Code

RS3547

Location

Tal Bajir, Aleppo , Aleppo, Syria
تل باجر
Two boys were injured when an unexploded cluster bomb of a previous alleged Russian air raid exploded in the village of Tal Bajir, Aleppo governorate, on October 3rd, 2018, according to local sources. The bomb was reportedly fired a year before it exploded. @neoIRT wrote that "two children were injured when a cluster bomb exploded…

Summary

Published
3 October 2018
View Incident

Incident Date

19 September 2018

Incident Code

RS3546

Location

Khan Sheikhoun, Ma'arat al-Numan, Syria
خان شيخون
A child was killed and four other children injured when a cluster bomb exploded in Khan Sheikhoun on September 19th, 2018, according to local sources. The victim was identified as Abdullah Mahmoud Al-Salmu. @24Idlib tweeted "The child Abdullah Mahmoud Al-Salmu was killed and four other children were wounded by a bomb explosion from the remnants…

Summary

Published
19 September 2018
View Incident

Incident Date

10 September 2018

Incident Code

RS3545

Location

Kfar Zeita, Hama, Syria
كفر زيتا
Alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes on Kfar Zeita in Hama reportedly led to death and/or injuries among civilians on September 10th, 2018. Shaam Network reported "Assad’s and Russian warplanes and helicopters launched intensive air raids accompanied by heavy artillery and missile attacks on the towns and villages of Latamna, Kfar Zeita, Lufayyat, Al-Obeida,…

Summary

Published
10 September 2018
View Incident

Incident Date

9 September 2018

Incident Code

RS3543

Location

Hama Governorate, Syria
محافظة حماه
Local sources reported that a number of civilians were killed and injured in a group of towns in Hama on September 9th, 2018 as a result of Russian forces and Syrian regime operations there. Shaam Network reported "The Russian planes, the warlords and the helicopter continued to launch heavy air raids on the cities and…

Summary

Published
9 September 2018
View Incident

Incident Date

9 September 2018

Incident Code

RS3542

Location

Abidin , Idlib, Syria
عابدين
Up to five civilians including a child were reported killed and five others injured in alleged Russian forces airstrikes or Syrian regime artillery shelling on Abdin in Idlib, Syria on September 9th, 2018 according to local sources. Local Coordination Committees of Syria said that the Syrian regime conducted the attack with barrel bombs. "Artillery shelling…

Summary

Published
9 September 2018
View Incident

Incident Date

9 September 2018

Incident Code

RS3536

Location

Al Sayyad, Hama, Syria
الصياد
Civilians were reportedly wounded by alleged Russian air or artillery strikes on the village of Al Sayyad, Hama governorate, on September 9th, 2018, according to Shaam News Network. Shaam News Network reported “a number of wounded in the city of Latamina and the villages of Hassraya, Al Sayyad and Al Zakat”, as the result of…

Summary

Published
9 September 2018
View Incident