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

21 September 2017

Incident Code

RS2491

Location

بلدة الهبيط, al Habeet, Idlib, Syria
At least three civilians, including a woman and two children, were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes against the town of al Habeet in southern Idlib according to a local source. The White Helmets tweeted a video showing the rescue of a child, who was found alive, in the ruins of her home. There are no…

Summary

Published
21 September 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

21 September 2017

Incident Code

RS2492

Location

لطمين, Latmeen, Hama, Syria
One woman  was injured in alleged Russia airstrikes against the village of Latmeen in the northern countryside of Hama, according to multiple local sources.

Summary

Published
21 September 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

21 September 2017

Incident Code

RS2495

Location

قلعة المضيق, Kala'at al Madeeq, Hama, Syria
Between two and three civilians, including a woman and a child, were killed and nine others, including children, were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes against the town of Kala'at al Madeeq in northwestern Hama, according to local sources. The initial estimate of two civilians killed was reported by Smart News Agency while…

Summary

Published
21 September 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2–3
Civilians reported injured
9
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

21 September 2017

Incident Code

RS2493

Location

رسم الطويل, Rasim al Taweel, Hama, Syria
According to the Smart News Agency, there were "dead and wounded as a result of a Russian air bombardment on the village of Rasim al Taweel, east of Hama". No other sources civilian harm, but they said that the regime had taken control of the village.

Summary

Published
21 September 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

20 September 2017

Incident Code

RS2484

Location

سرجة, Sarja, Idlib, Syria
Between zero and three civilians, including a child, were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes against the town of Sarja in southern Idlib, according to local sources. Some sources, including Step News Agency, reported that the airstrikes struck the local headquarters of Ahrar Al Sham and three of those injured were militants. Other…

Summary

Published
20 September 2017
Civilians reported injured
0–3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

20 September 2017

Incident Code

RS2490

Location

خشام, Khisham, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Three civilians, members of the same family, were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes against the town of Khisham in the eastern suburbs of Deir Ezzor according to a local source. Step News Agency was the only source to report on the civilian harm and they identified Russian planes as responsible for carrying out the airstrikes.…

Summary

Published
20 September 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident