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

26 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2163

Location

Jisir Al-Shoghour, Idlib, Syria
Civilians were reportedly wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike in Jisr al Shoghour - though only one known source reported on the event. Smart News Agency reported "activists wounded in warplane shelling believed to be Russian on the town of Jisr al Shoghour." It was not clear how many civilians were wounded in this attack.

Summary

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

Incident Date

26 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2167

Location

اللطامنة, Lataminah, Hama, Syria
One civilian was injured in an airstrike in Lataminah, Hama, according to local media sources - though it was unclear whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible. Hama News Centre reported that "Russian air raids targeted al Latamna hospital"; they added that it caused huge destruction to the hospital and injuring one member of…

Summary

Published
26 April 2017
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2162

Location

رسم العويد, Rasim Al Ouweid, Hama, Syria
Three civilians were reportedly killed and two injured in an alleged Russian airstrike in Rasim Al Ouweid, Hama - though only one known source has reported on this event. According to Smart News Agency there were five civilian casualties from a bombardment of likely Russian warplanes. Their local source told them "the aircraft bombed the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

25 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2159

Location

عقيربات, Akeirbat, Hama, Syria
Several civilians were wounded in an airstrike in Akeirbat, Hama, according to local sources - though it was not clear who was responsible for the strikes. Smart News Agency reported that "Russian planes launched several raids targeting Akeirbat and the surrounding area in Hama, leading to several civilian wounded." However, the only other two known…

Summary

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

Incident Date

25 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2161

Location

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria
Up to four civilians were injured in an airstrike in Douma, eastern Damascus, according to local media sources - though it was not clear whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible. The Facebook page, Douma Revolution, did not positively identify a belligerent but they reported that one of the injured was evacuated after "warplanes…

Summary

Published
25 April 2017
Civilians reported injured
2–4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

25 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2160

Location

أبو حواديد, Abu Hawadid, Hama, Syria
Up to seven civilians were killed or injured in an airstrike in Abu Hawaid, Hama, according to Smart News Agency. Their source stated that two civilians were killed and five others injured, when the unidentified aircraft struck the village that was under the control of ISIS. Smart added that two members of ISIS were also…

Summary

Published
25 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident