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

24 September 2017

Incident Code

RS2506

Location

سراقب, Saraqeb, Idlib, Syria
At least one civilian was killed in alleged Russian airstrikes against the town of Saraqeb, according to local sources. A member of the Civil Defence in the city, Laith al-Abdullah, reported the incident and the casualty estimate to Smart News Agency, which was the only source to report on the incident. Smart News Agency also…

Summary

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

Incident Date

24 September 2017

Incident Code

RS2513

Location

قرية القنيطرة, al Quneitra, Idlib, Syria
Five people were killed, and eight others, including four children and three women were wounded, in airstrikes against the village of al Quneitra in the Harem district of northwest Idlib. Sources all blamed Russian aviation for the raids. Syrian Network for Human Rights published an image of an injured child and reported that "The girl…

Summary

Published
24 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
3–5
Civilians reported injured
8
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

24–25 September, 2017

Incident Code

RS2515

Location

قرية معرشورين, Ma'ar Shoreen, Idlib, Syria
Between one and two civilians, including a woman, were killed and four others, including three children, were injured in two alleged Russian airstrikes against the town of Ma'ar Shoreen in northern Syria, as reported by local sources. According to Smart News, all of those affected by the airstrikes were from the same family and included…

Summary

Published
24 September 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
4–5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

24 September 2017

Incident Code

RS2507

Location

معرة حرمة, Ma'arat Horma, Idlib, Syria
At least two civilians, including a girl, were injured in airstrikes against the town of Ma'arat Horma in southern Idlib, local media reported. According to the Smart News Agency, the bombs used in the attack were cluster bombs. Smart News Agency was the only source to report on the incident and blamed Russia as the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

23 September 2017

Incident Code

RS2502

Location

بلدة تل مرديخ جنوب سراقب, Mardikh, Idlib, Syria
Russian airstrikes on the headquarters of the Faylaq Al Sham in Mardikh town, south Saraqeb, killed at least two civilians and possibly injured dozens more, local media reported. Most of the sources reported the death toll among fighters of Faylaq Al Sham, but at least five civilians including four women were named as killed in the…

Summary

Published
23 September 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2–10
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

23 September 2017

Incident Code

RS2501

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria
Three civilians from one family were killed in air and artillery strikes on Khan Sheikhoun, according to local media. Sources all attribute the blame to Russia. Two of the victims were women and one was a child. According to one source, this was followed by artillery shelling on the city during the funeral of the…

Summary

Published
23 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident