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

27 September 2017

Incident Code

RS2552

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria
Al Tamana’a the Free media office of the town on Facebook said: "A number of civilians were injured as a result of four air strikes by Russian warplanes carrying cluster bombs targeting the eastern neighborhood of Khan Shikhun in the southern Idlib countryside." A woman was injured by bombs from warplanes, believed to be Russian,…

Summary

Published
27 September 2017
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26 September 2017

Incident Code

RS2535

Location

مشمشان كنيسة نخلة, Kanissa Nakhla and Mashmashan, Jisr al Shoughour countryside, Idlib, Syria
One woman died and up to six civilians were injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on the town of Mashmashan in rural Idlib, according to sources on the ground. Idlib Media centre pointed to Russia, though the Smart News Agency - who said that six civilians were wounded in the attack - didn't identify the…

Summary

Published
26 September 2017
Civilians reported injured
5–6
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26 September 2017

Incident Code

RS2536

Location

سنجار, Sinjar, Idlib, Syria
Local sources reported that a woman was killed and others were wounded due to airstrikes on the town of Sinjar in eastern Idlib governorate. Idlib Media Center blamed the Russian side for the strikes, while Smart News and several other sources attributed the strike to the Syrian regime. The Idlib Media Centre only reported injured…

Summary

Published
26 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2–7
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26 September 2017

Incident Code

RS2540

Location

ترمانين, Termanin, Idlib, Syria
An unspecified number of civilians were wounded in two raids on Termanin, according to local media. Sources all blamed Russian warplanes. One source reported that "The raid wasn’t on the headquarters of the Corps  [ie failaq al sham] but on the homes of displaced civilians". In addition, Enabaladi reported that "a long-range missile believed to…

Summary

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

Incident Date

26 September 2017

Incident Code

RS2544

Location

Qaiqoun village [al Qaderiya], Idlib, Syria
Between two and five civilians, among them two children, were killed and up to seven others wounded in an airstrike on Qainoun village, according to local sources. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, "at least 2 children were killed when suspected Russian warplanes fired missiles on Qayqoun (al Qaderiya) village in Idlib governorate…

Summary

Published
26 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
2–5
Civilians reported injured
6–7
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26 September 2017

Incident Code

RS2537

Location

الجانودية, al Janoudiya, Idlib, Syria
One civilian was killed and up to six others were wounded in an alleged Russian or @jesrNEWSL reported: "A civilian was killed and three others were injured when Russian warplanes targeted the village of al-Janoudiya in the north of the northern countryside of Jisr al shughour ". Meanwhile, the Smart News Agency  "te civil defense…

Summary

Published
26 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
3–6
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident