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

25–26 September, 2017

Incident Code

RS2523

Location

Mrat, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Six named civilians were killed and others were injured in airstrikes on Mrat, according to local media. Local media blamed Russian warplanes for the raids. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

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

Incident Date

25 September 2017

Incident Code

RS2519

Location

Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria
One civilian was killed and several others were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes against the city of Khan Sheikhoun in Idlib. Step News Agency was the only source to report on the incident and they identified Russian forces as responsible for the airstrikes.

Summary

Published
25 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

25 September 2017

Incident Code

RS2526

Location

بداما, Bdama, Jisr al Shoughour, Idlib, Syria
Between one and three civilians, including a child, were killed and up to 11 more were wounded in alleged Russian or Syrian regime air and artillery strikes against the town of Bdama in the western village of Jisr al-Shoughour, according to local sources. The initial estimate was that only one civilian, a child, had died…

Summary

Published
25 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–3
Civilians reported injured
3–11
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

25 September 2017

Incident Code

RS2527

Location

محمبل, Muhambal, Idlib, Syria
At least one civilian, a girl, was killed and at least five others were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes against the town of Muhambal in Idlib governorate, according to local sources. The "intensive air-raids" consisted of rockets. Some sources did not mention civilian casualties but did confirm bombing in the vicinity. One of the comments…

Summary

Published
25 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

25 September 2017

Incident Code

RS2520

Location

سرمين, Sarmin, Idlib, Syria
Several civilians were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes against the neighborhoods of Sarmin in Idlib governorate, according to a local source. Five raids were reportedly carried out. Step News Agency did not publish a specific estimate of how many civilians were injured, however they indicated it was more than one. Step News identified Russian forces…

Summary

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

Incident Date

25 September 2017

Incident Code

RS2521

Location

قرية تل حلاوة, Tal Halawa, Idlib, Syria
At least one civilian was killed in alleged Russian airstrikes against the village of Tal Halawa in the eastern countryside of Idlib, as reported by local sources. According to Al Latamna Youth, the civilian that was killed had been displaced from the village of Qasr Abu Samra in the eastern countryside of Hama. Al Latamna…

Summary

Published
25 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident