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 September 2017

Incident Code

RS2524

Location

قرية الكفير, Al-Kafeer, Idlib, Syria
Between two and four civilians, including one to two children and a woman, were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes against the village of Al-Kafeer in the Jisr al-Shoughour area of the western countryside of Idlib, according to local sources and activists. Overall, "17 civilians were killed and 42 others injured in the…

Summary

Published
25 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
2–4
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

25 September 2017

Incident Code

RS2522

Location

ﺍﻟﺨﺮﻃﻴﺔ, al Kharita, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One woman was killed in airstrikes against the town of al Kharita in Deir Ezzor governorate according to local sources. It is unclear which belligerent was to blame for the strikes, however some sources here confirm there were clashes with the Syrian regime and Russia and Daesh in the area around that date. While the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

24–25 September, 2017

Incident Code

RS2514

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria
At least one male civilian was killed and three others were wounded in six alleged Russian airstrikes against the town of Khan Sheikhun in southern Idlib as reported by local sources. Saidat al Yasmin reported that "A squadron of Russian planes in the sky of the province of Idlib" - highlighting the presence of Russian…

Summary

Published
24 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

24 September 2017

Incident Code

RS2508

Location

خان السبل, Khan al Subul, Idlib, Syria
At least four civilians and five alleged members of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham - a militant Islamist group - were killed and seven other civilians and four members of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes against the village of Khan al Subul in southeast Idlib. All sources attributed the blame to Russian missiles.…

Summary

Published
24 September 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
2–4
Civilians reported injured
2–7
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

24 September 2017

Incident Code

RS2509

Location

كفرحلب, Kafr Halab, Aleppo , Aleppo, Syria
At least one civilian was killed and two to eight others were injured in four airstrikes against the village of Kafr Halab in southwest Aleppo, local media reported. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, some attributing the blame to Russia while others, such as Aleppo24, blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime.…

Summary

Published
24 September 2017
Infrastructure
Agriculture (Livestock)
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
8
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

24 September 2017

Incident Code

RS2503

Location

قرية الشيخ سنديان, al Sheikh Sundian village, Idlib, Syria
Between three and five civilians were killed, including a family of three, and three others, including a woman, were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes against the village of al Sheikh Sundian, according to local media. According to the sources that reported on the incident, Russian planes were likely responsible for carrying out the airstrikes. Some…

Summary

Published
24 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
3–5
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident