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

29 September 2017

Incident Code

RS2564

Location

التمانعة, Taman'ah, Idlib, Syria
Three civilians of the same family, including a child and two women, were killed by airstrikes, believed to be Russian, on the town of Al-Tamana’ah on September 29th, according to local sources. The airstrikes should be seen in the context of aerial bombardments since dawn on the city of Jisr Al-Shougour and the nearby town…

Summary

Published
29 September 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Civilians reported injured
2–12
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

29 September 2017

Incident Code

RS2572

Location

حارم, Harem, Idlib, Syria
A multitude of civilians were killed in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes on the village of Harem, close to the Turkish border in Idlib Province, according to local sources. The number of deaths reported varied between sources, ranging from three to 11. All sources reported the killing of a woman and her five children. The…

Summary

Published
29 September 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3–13
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

29 September 2017

Incident Code

RS2573

Location

ارمناز, Armanaz, Idlib, Syria
Between 15 and 40 civilians were killed in two separate air raids using thermobaric rockets targeting a residential neighbourhood in Armanaz according to local media. Sources all blamed either Russian or Syrian regime raids for the attack. Most sources alleged the second airstrike was aimed at Civil Defence teams and other civilians trying to remove…

Summary

Published
29 September 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
15–40
Civilians reported injured
12–75
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

29 September 2017

Incident Code

RS2565

Location

بريهة, Bariha, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local sources reported an airstrike on Bariha village, resulting in the deaths of five or six civilians and an unspecified number of wounded. Sources attributed the blame to the Russian military. Baladi put the death toll at six. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, "a man and his three children were killed". Mohammad…

Summary

Published
29 September 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
5–6
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

29 September 2017

Incident Code

RS2566

Location

ادلب, Idlib city, Idlib, Syria
Two children were injured in air raids, believed to be Russian, on residential areas in  Idlib City, according to Smart News Agency. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

Published
29 September 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

29 September 2017

Incident Code

RS2567

Location

ريف المهندسين, Reef Al-Muhandseen, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Two staffers were killed and five others injured as a result of air raids, likely to be Russian, on a field hospital in rural Al Muhandeseen, according to Smart News Agency. The field hospital itself was heavily damaged and the staff lost medical equipment. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

Published
29 September 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident