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

5 April 2018

Incident Code

RS3381

Location

قرية مرعند, Mar’, Idlib, Syria
A woman and her four children were killed in airstrikes on the town of Mar’, according to local media. Early reports said the injured children were taken to nearby medical points where they are believed to have later died. The mother was named as Samar Abdul Rahman by the Syrian Network for Human Rights. Syria…

Summary

Published
5 April 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1–5
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

5 April 2018

Incident Code

RS3382

Location

مناطق متعددة في أدلب, Various locations Idlib: (Kafar Nubl and Sofhan and Al Bara and Mhambel and Dere Senbel and Al Fatyra in the southern countryside and villages of Ashtarbq and Haloz and Al Ghassania and Kafar Yadin and Mara’nd), Idlib, Syria
Women and children were injured in numerous airstrikes across Idlib province, local media reported. A mosque and several school in the town of Al-Barah were hit by rockets, according to activists, in addition to similar raids on the nearby villages of Yasnulq, Safohan and Deir Snil. In Kernabal, a raid on a popular market injured…

Summary

Published
5 April 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported injured
2–5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

4 April 2018

Incident Code

RS3380

Location

مناطق متعددة في أدلب, Various locations Idlib: Ariha, Khan Sheikhoun, Jisr al-Shughour, Hazarin, Al Rakaya, Abidin, Al-Zayara, Kars’a, Kansfara, Al Bara,Al Hbit,Al Naqir, Al Qastan, Halwaz, Al Ghassaniya, Al Alya,Al Drebat , Ashtabrak , Al Taybat and Al Bashiyriya, Idlib, Syria
Two civilians died in Idlib province as airstrikes bombarded towns across the region, local media reported. Smart News said Syrian forces shelled a market in the town of Bara, injuring four civilians, including a child, who were taken by civil defense teams to local medical points. Helicopters threw several barrels of explosives on areas around…

Summary

Published
4 April 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

3 April 2018

Incident Code

RS3379

Location

كورين, Koreen, Idlib, Syria
At least three civilians, including a child, died in the town of Koreen as a result of reported airstrikes by Russian and Syrian forces on April 3rd, 2018 according to local sources. Smart News said four members of the same family were killed while two others were injured. "Four civilians from one family were killed…

Summary

Published
3 April 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

3 April 2018

Incident Code

RS3376

Location

السكرية, Al Sukariya, Idlib, Syria
A woman and her son were killed in the village of Al Sukariya in Idlib province during alleged Russian and Syrian airstrikes, local media reported. The strikes included cluster bombs according to Step News. Several civilians were reported wounded.

Summary

Published
3 April 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

3 April 2018

Incident Code

RS3377

Location

مناطق متعددة في أدلب, Various locations Idlib: Urma Al Jouz, Jisir Al Shughur, Al -Gassania , Halwaz, Al Mastuma, Al Bara, Al Naqir, Idlib, Syria
Intensive air raids reportedly wounded several civilians in cities and villages across Idlib. Both Russian and Syrian warplanes were reported to be responsible for striking Urma Al Jouz , Jisir Al-Shughur, Al-Ghassania, Halwaz, Al-Mastuma, Al-Bara and Al-Naqir. Harash was targeted by a long-range missile. Convoys containing displaced individuals from cities across Syria are often bombarded…

Summary

Published
3 April 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident