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

22 September 2017

Incident Code

RS2499

Location

سرجة, Sarja, Idlib, Syria
Between three and five civilians were killed and "dozens" more  were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes against the town of Sarja in rural Idlib South, local media reported. Some sources said that the strikes originated from Russian ships in the Mediterranean, while others pointed to warplanes. Idlib Media Centre reported "the death  of three martyrs…

Summary

Published
22 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
3–5
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

22 September 2017–25 July 2019

Incident Code

RS2497

Location

قريه الشميطية, Shumita village, Deir Ezzor, Syria
On Sept 25th Euphrates Post reported: "The martyrdom of Haj Mukhlaf Khalaf Al-Ahmad from the village of Al-Shmitiya, from the wounds he sustained as a result of an air strike that targeted the village a few days ago". This victim was also named by the Violations Documentation Centre, along with a second victim Mekhlef al…

Summary

Published
10 July 2019
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

22 September 2017

Incident Code

RS2500

Location

التمانعة, al Tamana'a, Idlib, Syria
Local media reported that between two and six civilians - an entire family, according to one source - died in alleged Russian or regime strikes on al-Tamanah. Sources blamed both Russian airstrikes or missiles fired from Russian battleships. Some other sources also pointed to regime warplanes. HNN reported that there had been "martyrs and wounded…

Summary

Published
22 September 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Agriculture
Civilians reported killed
2–6
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

22 September 2017

Incident Code

RS2496

Location

بنين الدير الشرقي, Banin and al Deir al Sharqi, Idlib, Syria
Local media reported that civilians were killed and wounded in alleged Russian strikes on Banin and al Deir al Sharqi. Most sources said that missiles had been fired on Banin from Russian battleships. Khaled al Waleed and Adam.sy said that three civilians had been wounded. According to HNN, there were "martyrs and wounded in shelling…

Summary

Published
22 September 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

22 September 2017

Incident Code

RS2498

Location

كفرسجنة, Kafr Sajna, Idlib, Syria
Two children were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes against the town of Kafr Sajna in southern Idlib. All sources blamed Russian warplanes for the raids. One local source included wounded in the casualty estimates but did not specify whether it was in Kafr Sajna or Deir al Sharqi. Both sources that reported in the incident,…

Summary

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

Incident Date

21 September 2017

Incident Code

RS2494

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria
Nine civilians, including four women and four children, were killed and others were wounded in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes against the town of Khan Sheikhoun in Idlib on September 21, 2017. The civilians that were killed were from the same family, with Smart News Agency reporting that they were a mother, father, and child.…

Summary

Published
21 September 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
9
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident