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

3 May 2017

Incident Code

RS2206

Location

دركوش, Darkoush, Idlib, Syria
One girl was killed and up to 24 other civilians were wounded following an incident in a camp for displaced people in Darkoush, Idlib, that was possibly caused by a Russian drone, local media reported. Several sources reported the death of a nine-year-old girl while the number of wounded varied between five and 24. Moreover,…

Summary

Published
3 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
5–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

3 May 2017

Incident Code

RS2207

Location

زرزور, Zarzour, Idlib, Syria
Up to three civilians were left wounded following an alleged Russian airstrike in al-Wafa'a Camp, near Zarzur, Idlib, local media reported. RFS Media Office reported that "three civilians were seriously wounded today [May 3rd], following an air strike carried out by a Russian UAV, targeting "Al-Wafa’a Camp" near the village of Zarzur in the countryside…

Summary

Published
3 May 2017
Civilians reported injured
2–3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

2 May 2017

Incident Code

RS2204

Location

معرة النعمان, Ma'arat Al-Nu'man, Idlib, Syria
A remnant from a cluster bomb, allegedly Russian, killed one man and wounded another civilian when it exploded in Maarat al-Nu'man, Idlib, local media reported. All known sources agreed that the incident was triggered by a cluster bomb remnant from a previous Russian bombardment. Step News reported that the civilian harm was caused "after the…

Summary

Published
2 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
0–1
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

1 May 2017

Incident Code

RS2200

Location

عربين, Arbin, Damascus, Syria
One civilian was killed and up to seven were wounded in alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes on Arbin, Damascus, according to sources on the ground. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that "a warplane targeted areas in Arbin city in the Eastern Ghouta consecutively with four missiles. This was followed by with 20…

Summary

Published
1 May 2017
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

1 May 2017

Incident Code

RS2198

Location

سقبا, Saqba, Damascus, Syria
Between two and four civilians were killed and up to 15 more were wounded as airstrikes, allegedly carried out by either Russia or the Syrian regime, struck Saqba, Damascus, local media reported. While LCCSY said that two civilians were killed in the attack, the majority of sources reported  four victims and SaqbaCoordinating1234 identified all four…

Summary

Published
1 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
2–4
Civilians reported injured
2–15
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

1 May 2017

Incident Code

RS2194

Location

جبل شاعر, Jabal Sha'er, Homs, Syria
Alleged Russian warplanes carried out air raids in Jabal Shaer, a mountain area near Homs, and wounded several civilians, local media reported. According to @fawaaaa4, Russian airstrikes allegedly hit "the mountains of Shaer and Jazel". This source who also added that the strikes had hit Beduin communities. Both sources mentioned that the raids had caused…

Summary

Published
1 May 2017
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident