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

20 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2140

Location

كفرزيتا, Kafr Zita, Hama, Syria
A woman was killed in the night, following an alleged Russian raid on Kafr Zita, according to local media. Two of the sources blamed Russia for the raids, and the third did not attribute any blame. There were no reports of any wounded civilians. There are no more details at this time.

Summary

Published
20 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

19 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2139

Location

مرديخ,, Mardikh, Idlib, Syria
Between eight and 10 civilians were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes with cluster bombs on Mardikh, Syria, according to sources on the ground. The Smart News Agency reported: "eight civilians were wounded on Wednesday [April 29th] after an air strike on the town of Mardikh (20 km southeast of Idlib) in the north of the…

Summary

Published
19 April 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
8–10
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

19 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2136

Location

رسم العبد, Rasim Al-A'bid, Hama, Syria
Four civilians were killed - including a child - and as many as three more were wounded - some seriously - following an airstrike on Rasim Al-A'bid. Sources  blamed Russian warplanes for the incident. Both sources reported that the area was held by ISIS. Additionally many of the civilians residing there were displaced from Raqqa. Civilian…

Summary

Published
19 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

19 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2137

Location

السخنة, Al-Sokhna , Homs, Syria
A girl was killed, and others were wounded in an airstrike on an Internally Displaced Persons camp in Al-Sokhna, local media reported. Both sources blamed Russia for the raids. Sources reported that Russian warplanes bombarded the vicinity with several raids. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

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

Incident Date

19 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2138

Location

عندان, Anadan, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
There were an unspecific number of civilian deaths and wounded, in an air and artillery strike which targeted the Grand Mosque of Al-Zahra in Anadan, Aleppo, according to local media. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. Some blamed the Syrian regime, while others blamed Russia for the strikes. Sources reported that surface to surface missiles…

Summary

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

Incident Date

18 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2134

Location

Khan Al Assal, Aleppo, Syria
An unspecified number of civilians were killed and wounded in alleged Russian or regim strikes on Khan Al Assal, local media said. The Smart News Agency reported: "A squadron of Russian planes rotated to bombard the towns and villages of rural areas of Aleppo (the western, southern and northern regions) causing injuries to a number of…

Summary

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