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

16 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2122

Location

سوحا, Suha, Hama, Syria
A single source, the Smart News agency, reported: "A number of civilians were killed and wounded by a Russian air strike on the village of Suha, 30 kilometers east of Hama city, in the center of Syria, a local source told the Smart newspaper on Sunday. "The source added that the raids targeted the homes…

Summary

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

Incident Date

16 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2123

Location

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria
At least one civilian died and an unspecified number more were wounded in an air or artillery strike on Douma, local media said. According to sources, there were heavy air and artillery strikes - including regime actions - on Douma on this day. The Smart News Agency reported: "Russian warplanes targeted residential areas in the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

15 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2120

Location

معرة النعمان, Maarat al Numan, Idlib, Syria
One adult-male civilian died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Maarat al Numan, according to the Violations Documentation Centre. The Smart News Agency reported "warplanes that are likely to be Russian launched  raids on the towns of Ma'arat al-Nu'man, Jisr al-Shughur, Kafr Nabal, Bara, Kafr Safra, and al-Barajithi villages, resulting in injuries."  

Summary

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

Incident Date

14 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2116

Location

السخنة, Sokhna, Homs, Syria
An unspecified number of civilians were injured in alleged Russia airstrikes on Sokhna, according to two local sources. 2baddiyy tweeted: "The Russian occupation aircraft targeted the city of Sokhna northeast of the city of # Palmyra with several raids causing the destruction of civilian homes and injuring a number of people." Step also reported that an…

Summary

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

Incident Date

14 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2117

Location

عقيربات, Akeirabat, Hama, Syria
The Step News Agency reported: "Russian warplanes launched two raids targeting the vicinity of Akeirabat  in the eastern Hama countryside, resulting in civilian casualties." According to the Smart News Agency, "Three civilians, including a woman, were wounded by artillery shelling of the town of Aqrabat".

Summary

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

Incident Date

14 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2118

Location

various locations, Idlib, Syria
According to the Step News Agency, "Russian air raids, some of them with phosphorous bombs targeted the towns of Khan_shikhun, #Tremala, #Kafarsgana, and #Serja, south of Idlib, with reports of casualties." No further details are currently available.

Summary

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