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

26 September 2017

Incident Code

RS2531

Location

عين السودة, Ein al Soda, Idlib, Syria
Two civilians were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes against the village of Ain al Soda in Idlib, according to local activists. Smart News Agency, amongst others, attributed the airstrikes to Russia while in other reports, did not identify who was responsible. There were as many as 10 raids.

Summary

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

Incident Date

26 September 2017

Incident Code

RS2538

Location

معرة حرمة, Maarat Horma, Idlib, Syria
Three civilians were wounded in an airstrike, likely to be Russian, on the town of Maarat Horma in southern Idlib, according to the Smart News Agency. The wounded were transferred to nearby field hospitals. According to @SyrianCoalition, the strike destroyed "the northern school" in the town.  

Summary

Published
26 September 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26 September 2017

Incident Code

RS2545

Location

إدلب, Idlib city, Idlib, Syria
Two civilians were wounded in strikes by warplanes on Idlib on September 26th as well as by long range missiles fired on the city of Idlib, according to Smart News Agency. The Agency did not identify the culprit. Other sources reported on as escalation in strikes on Idlib during this period. On Sept 26th, Masrawy…

Summary

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

Incident Date

26 September 2017

Incident Code

RS2539

Location

جسر الشغور, Jisir Al-Shoghour, Idlib, Syria
Raids targeting Jisr al-Shoughour and its outskirts killed and wounded an unspecified number of civilians, according to Smart News Agency. The source didn’t identify the culprit. Researches have added various sources which prove generic Russian shelling in Jisr al shoughour on the 25th and 16th, with nothing specific to this raid. No further details are…

Summary

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

Incident Date

26 September 2017

Incident Code

RS2546

Location

دوما, Douma, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, Syria
Airstrikes on Douma reportedly hit civilian homes and a centre for people with special needs. The centre was destroyed, and local media reported that up to five civilians were killed. Up to a further 20 civilian were said to have been wounded. Sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or…

Summary

Published
26 September 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2–5
Civilians reported injured
2–20
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26–27 September, 2017

Incident Code

RS2547

Location

قرية مراط, Mrat village, Deir Ezzor, Syria
At least five civilians, including one woman, were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Mrat, according to local sources. An unspecified number of other civilians were reported wounded. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “six citizens including two brothers and a man and his wife died as a result of…

Summary

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