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

27 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2184

Location

دير شرقي, Deir Sharqi, Idlib, Syria
Three civilians were killed and "dozens" wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike in Deir Sharqi, according to local media sources.  The University Hospital in Deir Sharqi, which reportedly was used to primarily treat women and children, was struck. The hospital was destroyed by the strike and taken out of service, according to Smart News, who…

Summary

Published
27 April 2017
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
4–12
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

27 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2173

Location

الركايا, al Rakaya village, Idlib, Syria
Four civilians - ‘mostly children’ -  were reportedly wounded in an airstrike on Al-Rakaya in Idlib Governorate on the 27th of April 2017. It is unclear which belligerent was responsible for the strike, as some sources blamed Russia while one other blamed the Syrian regime.  

Summary

Published
27 April 2017
Civilians reported injured
4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

27 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2174

Location

التمانعة, al Taman’a, Idlib, Syria
Two civilians were reportedly killed and one other was wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on Al-Tamana in Idlib Governorate on the 27th of April 2017, according to local media.  

Summary

Published
27 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

27 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2177

Location

أورم الكبرى, Orme al Kubra, Aleppo, Syria
A civilian was killed in alleged Russian air strikes on the town of Urme Al Kobra in western Aleppo according to local reports. The Smart News Agency reported: “A member of the civil defense team, Mohammed Abu Adel, said that a civilian was killed after Russian raids on the town of Orme al-Kubra (18 km…

Summary

Published
27 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2–14
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

27 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2181

Location

البارة, Al-Bara, Idlib, Syria
Civilians were reportedly wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike in al Bara, Idlib, according to a local media source. Whilst other sources have reported that Russian warplanes conducted a strike in al Bara on this day, only one mentioned civilian harm. Edlib Media Centre reported "wounded fall as a result of the targeting of the…

Summary

Published
27 April 2017
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

27 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2178

Location

كفرناها, Kafr Naha, Aleppo, Syria
Two children were killed and at least nine other civilians wounded in alleged Russian air strikes on the town of Kafr Naha in the western Aleppo countryside, according to sources on the ground. The town was hit with “space rockets”, according to the Syrian Civil Defense, killing two children and wounding 10 other civilians, including…

Summary

Published
27 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
9–14
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident