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

28 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2185

Location

Kherbit Qais village, Idlib, Syria
A woman and a child died following alleged Russian airstrikes in the village of Kherbit Qais in eastern Idlib, according to sources on the ground. Warplanes launched two raids at dawn, according to local sources.

Summary

Published
28 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

28 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2187

Location

Sarmin, Idlib, Syria
A child was killed and up to 20 other civilians were injured in alleged Russian and Syrian missile strikes on the town of Sarmin, local media reported. Sources on the ground reported two others were killed by land-to-land cluster bombs. A total of three died and 10 were wounded as a result of Syrian ballistic…

Summary

Published
28 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–3
Civilians reported injured
1–20
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

28 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2186

Location

السلمية مغيزيل, Mgheizal village, al Silmiya district, Hama, Syria
A woman and two children were killed in alleged Russian raids on Mghezel, east of Hama, according to a single source. Three other civilians were reportedly  wounded during strikes on civilian houses in the village controlled by ISIS. Some were later rushed to hospital in the city Deir Ezzor. No further details are currently available.

Summary

Published
28 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

28 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2188

Location

كفرزيتا, Kafr Zita, Hama, Syria
Local media reported the death of one named adult-male civilian - a blind man - in an alleged Russian airstrike on the Ubaida ibn al-Jarrah mosque in Kafr Zita. According to SHRC, Russian warplanes initially targeted a hospital next to the mosque - and then returned to strike the mosque itself. Smart reported:  "A journalist…

Summary

Published
28 April 2017
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

27 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2171

Location

سرمين, Sarmin, Idlib, Syria
An unspecified number of civilians were reportedly wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on Sarmin in Idlib Governorate on the 27th of April 2017, according to local media. The Syrian Network for Human Rights was among the majority of sources pointing to Russia. It reported that “ suspected Russian warplanes fired two missiles on al Daraj…

Summary

Published
27 April 2017
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

27 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2172

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria
Between three and five civilians - one woman and her children - were killed, and a further two were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes in Khan Sheikhoun on the 27th of April 2017, according to sources on the ground. Multiple sources said the victims were displaced people from Helfaya in Hama Governorate. Some sources said…

Summary

Published
27 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
3–5
Civilians reported injured
2–3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident