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

24 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2154

Location

أم المياذن, Um Almayathen, Daraa, Syria
A single source reported that "seven civilians from one family, including two children, were seriously injured, following the destruction of their home by Russian air strikes on the town of Um Almayathen. The civil defence team brought the wounded from the rubble and helped them to nearby field hospitals." There are no other details at this…

Summary

Published
24 April 2017
Civilians reported injured
7
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

24–25 April, 2017

Incident Code

RS2158

Location

بسنقول, Bsanqoul, Idlib, Syria
Seven civilians were killed and others injured in an alleged Russian airstrike in Bsanqoul, according to local media sources. Both Halab Today and AMC Aleppo reported that seven civilians had been killed, but neither positively identified a belligerent. All other known sources attributed responsibility to Russia, but did not provide a death toll - they…

Summary

Published
24 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
7
Civilians reported injured
4–12
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

24 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2155

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria
Eight civilians were killed - including children - and as many as 15 were wounded, following an attack on a popular market selling sells vegetables, fruits and nuts in Khan Sheikhoun. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, with some blaming the Syrian regime and others blaming Russia. SHRC reported that the strike happened at approximately…

Summary

Published
24 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
7–8
Civilians reported injured
10–15
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

24 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2156

Location

كفر تخاريم, Kafr Tkharim, Idlib, Syria
Local sources reported that as many as 15 civilians were killed, and between five and ten were wounded, following an airstrike in the mountainous vicinity of Kafr Tkharim, al Duweila mountain. All sources blamed Russian warplanes for this strike. It must be noted there were two separate airstrikes on Kafr Tkharim on the 24th April 2017. One…

Summary

Published
24 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–15
Civilians reported injured
5–10
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

24 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2157

Location

كفر تخاريم, Kafr Tkharim, Idlib, Syria
Between two and 12 civilians were killed - and four were wounded - in an airstrike on Kafr Takharim hospital, local media reported. All sources blamed Russian warplanes for the raid.  It must be noted there were two separate airstrikes on Kafr Tkharim on the 24th April 2017. One occurred in the mountainous region of al Duweila, and…

Summary

Published
24 April 2017
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
2–12
Civilians reported injured
4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

23 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2152

Location

ركايا سجنة, Rakaya Sajna, Idlib, Syria
A single source reported that Russian warplanes struck Khan Sheikhoun and Rakaya Sajna in southern Idlib causing injuries amongst civilians.  There are no other details at this time.

Summary

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