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

22 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2145

Location

دارة عزة, Darat Izza, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
A family including three girls and a woman were killed, and 25 or more civilians were reportedly wounded, in an airstrike on Darat Izza, Aleppo. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, some blaming the Syrian regime, while others blamed Russian warplanes. AMC did not attribute blame, but tweeted that a "military aircraft" struck the…

Summary

Published
22 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
2–4
Civilians reported injured
12–25
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

22 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2146

Location

عابدين, Abidien, Idlib, Syria
As many as five civilians were killed - including four doctors - and others were injured, following an airstrike on a makeshift hospital in Abidien, local media reported.  Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. Some blamed Russia, whilst others blamed the Syrian regime. Alarabiya news reported that it was either Syrian or a Russian warplane. A…

Summary

Published
22 April 2017
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
3–5
Civilians reported injured
2–6
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

21 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2143

Location

اللطامنة, Lataminah, Hama, Syria
A girl was killed and as many as six other civilians were wounded following a parachute missile attack on a residential neighbourhood in Lataminah, local media reported. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, with some blaming the Syrian regime and others blaming Russian warplanes. Halab Today reported that huge fire broke out in a…

Summary

Published
21 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2–6
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

21 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2141

Location

الطبايق, Al-Tabayek, Idlib, Syria
Two children were killed and one other civilian was wounded - Smart reported a woman was wounded - following an airstrike on Al-Tabayek. All sources blamed Russian warplanes for the raid.  Syrian Mirror reported  "targeting of residential areas and vital centres", resulting extensive destruction to property. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, "two children were…

Summary

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

Incident Date

21 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2142

Location

الركايا, Rakaya, Idlib, Syria
Up to two civilians were killed and as many as seven more were wounded - including women and children - in an alleged Russian airstrike on Rakaya, local media reported. Two out of three sources blamed Russian warplanes for the raid, while Kaes Idlby did not attribute any blame.  According to Syria Mirror, residential areas and "vital centres"…

Summary

Published
21 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
0–2
Civilians reported injured
7
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

21 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2144

Location

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria
Up to three civilians were killed, and others were wounded - including a child - following an air and artillery strike in Douma, according to local sources. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame for the raids. Some sources blamed Russia, while most blamed the Syrian regime. The Syrian Network for Human Rights…

Summary

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