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

20 September 2017

Incident Code

RS2483

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Shikhoun, Idlib, Syria
Three civilians were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Khan Shikhoun, local sources reported. The injured included a young girl and a woman, according to Zaman Al Wasl.

Summary

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

Incident Date

19 September 2017

Incident Code

RS2478

Location

عطشان, A'tshan, Hama, Syria
Two nurses died following intensive strikes on the Shamna medical organisation in the village of A'tshan, according to local sources. The attacks were attributed to both Russian and Syrian forces by different media outlets. Both nurses were killed when bombs struck an ambulance near the village, activists told Smart News.

Summary

Published
19 September 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

19 September 2017

Incident Code

RS2479

Location

الهبيط, Al-Habeet, Idlib, Syria
A man died during alleged Russian or Syrian shelling on the town of Al-Habeet in rural Idlib, local sources reported. Salah Ahmad Al-Jamili had come to the city from Helfaya, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

19 September 2017

Incident Code

RS2475

Location

البوليل, Al Bouleil, Deir Ezzor, Syria
At least two civilians were killed as alleged Russian or Syrian regime forces bombed the town of Al Bouleil in the eastern countryside of Deir al-Azur, local sources reported. Russian aircraft conducted the raids on residential areas, according to Alitihad Press, who said a total of five civilians died.   Smart News reported the use…

Summary

Published
19 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
2–5
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

19 September 2017

Incident Code

RS2476

Location

الطوب, Al Toub, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Two civilians were killed in air raids on the village of Al Toub, local sources reported. Jisir TV attributed the deaths to Russian warplanes, however, Syrian air strikes and snipers were reported in the area by Smart News Agency. No other details are currently known.

Summary

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

Incident Date

19 September 2017

Incident Code

RS2480

Location

قرية التح, Al Tah, Idlib, Syria
Between one and three civilians including two women died while working at an obstetrics hospital in Al Tah as alleged Russian and Syrian warplanes bombarded the countryside of southern Idlib, local sources reported. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported one death; it stated: "Suspected Russian warplanes fired a missile on the al Rahman Charity…

Summary

Published
19 September 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
1–3
Civilians reported injured
2–4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident