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

RS2175

Location

كفرسجنة, Kafr Sajna, Idlib, Syria
Alleged Russian airstrikes killed between one and two civilians and injured two others in Kafr Sanja in Idlib Governorate on the 27th of April. Multiple sources reported that one of the martyrs was a child, and one source identified the other civilian killed as the child’s father.

Summary

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

Incident Date

27 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2179

Location

عويجل, Ouweijal, Aleppo, Syria
Two children died and seven other civilians were  wounded in an alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Ouweijal in western Aleppo, according to local sources. The Smart News Agency reported the planes were likely bombing a hospital in the town. Three houses collapsed, according to the Syrian News Desk.

Summary

Published
27 April 2017
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
7
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

27 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2180

Location

كفرزيتا, Kafr Zita, Hama, Syria
According to the Step News Agency, "a woman was killed and several of her children injured following Russian raid targeting Kafr Zita in northern countryside of Hama." The Violations Documentation Centre also named one woman as killed by Russian forces. No further details are currently available.

Summary

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

Incident Date

27 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2182

Location

معرة النعمانالحامدية, al Hamidiya, near Maarat al Numan, Idlib, Syria
Two civilians were wounded in air raids in Al-Hamidiya in the southern Idlib Governorate, local media reported. The Smart News Agency blamed Russia, reporting: “Two more civilians were injured following Russian raids on al Hamdidiya near maarat al numan [45 km south of idlib] according to the civil defence Facebook site.” The other sources didn’t…

Summary

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

Incident Date

27 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2168

Location

جسر الشغور, Jisr al Shoughour, Idlib, Syria
Two civilians died and up to seven more were wounded in ‘several air raids’ alleged Russian airstrikes on Jisr Al-Shoghour in Idlib Governorate, according to sources on the ground. The Step News Agency reported “two civilians were killed in a bomb attack on Jisr al-Shughour and the surrounding area of al-Janoudiya village in the western…

Summary

Published
27 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
5–7
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

27 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2169

Location

معرشورين, Maarshurin village, Idlib, Syria
Between four and eight civilians, including two women and two children, were reportedly killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on the village of Ma’ar Shureen on the morning of the 27th of April, according to sources on the ground. The strike reportedly left ‘dozens’ of others wounded. Aljazeera reported that a funeral procession in the…

Summary

Published
27 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
4–8
Civilians reported injured
8–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident