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

17 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2125

Location

Sumairiya, Aleppo, Syria
A woman and her two children were injured in an airstrike on Sumairiya, local sources said. Syria Mirror reported: "Field activists said that on Monday 17 April 2017, warplanes attacked civilian houses in the village of Sumairiya in the southern suburb of Aleppo, injuring one mother and two children, as well as causing physical damage to…

Summary

Published
17 April 2017
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2126

Location

معرة الارتيق, Ma’arat Al-Arteek, Aleppo, Syria
An unspecified number of civilians were wounded in a strike on Ma’arat Al-Arteek, according to sources on the ground. Only the Smart News agency pointed directly to Russia; other sources didn't apportion blame.

Summary

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

Incident Date

17 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2127

Location

شنان, Shanan, Idlib, Syria
At least five and as many as dozens of civilians were injured in an airstrike on a hospital in Shana, local media reported. Most sources blamed Russia, though there was an allegation against the regime. According to Jisrtv, "The hospital in the village of Shanan was put out of service by the bombing of the…

Summary

Published
17 April 2017
Civilians reported injured
5–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17–18 April, 2017

Incident Code

RS2128

Location

معرة حرمة, Ma’arat Hurma, Idlib, Syria
Ten civilians - a grandmother and her nine grandchildren from the Al Nabo family - died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Ma’arat Hurma, according to local media. Up to another 13 civilians were reportedly wounded. Sources added that prior to the "massacre" killing the family, warplanes carried out two other strikes on the outskirts of…

Summary

Published
17 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
9–10
Civilians reported injured
5–13
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

16 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2124

Location

كفرزتيا, Kafr Zita, Hama, Syria
Two named children died and three male civilians were wounded in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on Kafr Zita, according to sources on the grounds. Several reports said that "rocket-propelled grenades with parachutes" were used in the attack. Smart News Agency reported that "two children were killed and three men were wounded on Sunday when…

Summary

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

Incident Date

16 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2121

Location

بداما, Bdama, Idlib, Syria
According to the Smart News Agency, "On Sunday, April 16, 2017, three civilians, including a woman, were injured in an air strike on the town of Badama in the western suburb of Idlib. The warplanes responsible are likely to be Russian". Jirsrtv reported: "the Civil Defense said that two people were injured by air strikes…

Summary

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