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 DatePublication Date

Incident Date

4 September 2018

Incident Code

RS3519

Location

Jisr al-Shughur, Idlib, Syria
جسر الشغور
Up to 11 civilians including a woman, and five children from the same family were reported killed and many others injured in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime forces airstrikes on neighborhoods in Jisr al-Shughur in Idlib on September 4th, 2018, according to local sources. The local sources identified names of ten of the victims…

Summary

Published
4 September 2018
View Incident

Incident Date

4 September 2018

Incident Code

RS3520

Location

Kafridin, Idlib, Syria
كفردين
Two civilians were reported killed and three others injured in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes on Kafridin in Idlib, Syria on September 4th, 2018. Fresh-syria news reported that "a number of civilians were martyred and others were injured today, Tuesday, as a result of the Russian aggression targeting with airstrikes the village of…

Summary

Published
4 September 2018
View Incident

Incident Date

4 September 2018

Incident Code

RS3521

Location

Mhambel, Idlib, Syria
محمبل
Up to eight civilians including at least two women from the same family were reported killed and many others injured including two children in alleged Russian airstrikes on a market, and on Baidarshmso village in Mhambel in Idlib, Syria on September 4th, 2018. @SyriaCivilDefe tweeted: "Three women were killed, and a man and two children…

Summary

Published
4 September 2018
View Incident

Incident Date

4 September 2018

Incident Code

RS3522

Location

Furaykah, Idlib, Syria
فريكة
Two civilians were reported killed, and another injured in Furaykah town in Idlib, as a result of alleged Russian airstrikes on September 4th, 2018, according to local sources. Syrian TV reported that "a civilian was killed and his son was seriously wounded in Russian air strikes on the village of Furaykah in Idlib countryside." Macro…

Summary

Published
4 September 2018
View Incident

Incident Date

1 September 2018

Incident Code

RS3518

Location

Hass, Idlib, Syria
حاس
Between one and three medical staff members of the Nabd Al Hayat Hospital or Sham Hospital in the town of Hass were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on September 8th, 2018, according to local sources. @BonnieKipperman reported that the Sham hospital had completely run out of service due to barrel strikes by Syrian…

Summary

Published
8 September 2018
View Incident

Incident Date

10 August 2018

Incident Code

RS3516

Location

Urma Al Kubra, Aleppo, Syria
أورم الكبرى
In a major civilian casualty incident, up to 44 civilians, including five to 25 children, were reportedly killed in three consecutive airstrikes on the town of Urma Al Kubra. In total, sources recorded the names of 43 killed civilians. Multiple sources reported many injured, with estimates ranging between dozens to 70, with one earlier report…

Summary

Published
10 August 2018
View Incident