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

RS2170

Location

سرجة,, Sarja village, Idlib, Syria
‘Intensive air raids’ allegedly conducted by Russian warplanes resulted in the deaths of two sisters and wounded three other civilians in Sarja on the 27th April 2017, according to sources on the ground. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, “The girls Aisha and Maryam Idris al Ashqar, from Sarja village in Idlib governorate…

Summary

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

Incident Date

27 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2176

Location

درعا البلد, Dara al Balad, Daraa, Syria
Six civilians were wounded, some critically, on the 27th of April 2017 by airstrikes allegedly carried out by Russian warplanes in Daraa al-Balad, according to the Smart News Agency. Aaswat said that the Assad regime also carried out strikes on Dara al Balad.

Summary

Published
27 April 2017
Civilians reported injured
6
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

27 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2183

Location

جسر الشغور, Jisir Al-Shoghour, Idlib, Syria
Four civilians were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike in Ma'ar Zita, Idlib, according to local media sources.  The Shamna medical point was struck and four of the medical staff were killed, Halab Today reported. There was a second strike after the hospital was struck, according to Al Jazeera. They reported that "Russian aircraft re-targeted…

Summary

Published
27 April 2017
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
10
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2164

Location

معرشورين, Ma'ar Shureen, Idlib, Syria
Up to four civilians were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike in Ma'ar Shureen, Idlib, according to local media sources.  In keeping with other known sources that reported on this incident, Zaitoun stated: "A martyr and a number of wounded in a town in the southern Idlib countryside were killed as Russian warplanes targeted the…

Summary

Published
26 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–4
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2165

Location

الجانودية, Al Janoudia, Idlib, Syria
Up to six civilians were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike in al-Janoudiya, Jisr al-Shughour, according to local media sources. Media activist, Musab Ahmed Orabi, was among those dead. However, none of the sources were clear as to whether he was one of the five civilians killed or an additional death. He was working with…

Summary

Published
26 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
5–6
Civilians reported injured
2–7
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2166

Location

جدار معراتا, Jidar Miraata, Idlib, Syria
At least ten civilians were killed in an airstrike in Jidar Miraata, according to local media sources - though it was unclear whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, who could not positively identify a belligerent, reported that the al-Jidar camp was targeted which killed ten people, including…

Summary

Published
26 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–10
Civilians reported injured
2–20
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident