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

23 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2150

Location

أم توينة, Um Tuweyna, Hama, Syria
A single source reported that Russian warplanes bombed Um Tuweyna, killing three civilians - including a child - and seriously wounding two others. Smart reported that the village was controlled by the Islamic State. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

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

Incident Date

23 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2151

Location

مجبينة, Majbina, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
An unspecific number of civilians were injured - according to local sources - in an airstrike on Majbina, Aleppo. Two out of three sources blamed Russia for the raid. HalabnewsNetwork reported "warplanes" were to blame.  There are no other details at this time.

Summary

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

Incident Date

23 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2153

Location

جسر الشغور, Jisir Al-Shoghour, Idlib, Syria
Eight civilians were killed - including two women and two children - and dozens were wounded, following an airstrike on Jisir Al-Shoghour, according to local media. Most sources blamed Russian warplanes for the incident, however some remained impartial, and reported sighting an identified warplane. Step News reported that the vicinity which was struck housed Internally Displaced…

Summary

Published
23 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
7–8
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

22 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2147

Location

عقيربات, Akeirbat, Hama, Syria
A man, a woman and a girl were killed, and dozens more were wounded, in a airstrike on Akeirbat, according to sources on the ground. Both sources blamed Russian warplanes for the raids. According to the Smart News Agency,  a Russian warplane struck the vicinity, "killing a woman, and wounding two others, including a child, their…

Summary

Published
22 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–3
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

22 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2148

Location

احسم, Ihsim town, Al Zawiya mountain, Idlib, Syria
Five civilians were killed - including a child - and others were wounded, when un-exploded cluster bomb remnants from a previous strike detonated in Ihsim town, Al Zawiya mountain, Idlib, local media said. Only the Shaam News Network reported that Russian warplanes were responsible for the initial shelling; all other sources did not attribute any blame.…

Summary

Published
22 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
4–5
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

22 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2149

Location

اللطامنة, Lataminah, Hama, Syria
A father was killed and his children were injured on an airstrike which struck their home in Lataminah, according to local media. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, with some blaming the Syrian regime, others blaming Russia. The Syrian Network for Human Rights  blamed the "Syrian-Russian alliance". Civil Defence Hama initially reported that…

Summary

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