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

14 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2119

Location

بصرة الشام, Basra al Sham, Daraa, Syria
Local media named one adult male as killed in an airstrike on Basra al Sham. Only the Violations Documentation Centre identified Russia as the culprit; the other two sources didn't apportion blame.

Summary

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

Incident Date

13 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2113

Location

معرة التعمان, Ma’arat Al-Nu’man, Idlib, Syria
One or two civilians died and several others were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on Ma’arat Al-Nu’man, according to sources on the ground. Step News Agency reported that "two civilians were killed and several wounded as a result of two Russian air raids on residential areas in the town of Ma'ra al-Nu'man in rural Idlib." Other…

Summary

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

Incident Date

13 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2115

Location

السكرية و محميل, Sukariya and Muhmil, Idlib, Syria
Four or five civilians, reportedly from the same family, died in an airstrike on Sukariya and Muhmil in rural Idlib, according to local media. All but one source blamed Russia. Syria Mirror: reported: "Russian warplanes launched several air strikes with rocket-propelled grenades at communities in the village of Sukariya in the eastern countryside of the city…

Summary

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

Incident Date

13 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2114

Location

مراط, Merat, Deir Ezzor, Syria
An unspecified number of civilians were wounded by an alleged Russian airstrike "by napalm bombs" on Merat, according to local media. No further details are currently available.

Summary

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

Incident Date

12 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2112

Location

جسر الشغور, Jisr al shoughour, Idlib, Syria
An unspecified number of civilians were killed and two more wounded in up to 10 Russian strikes on Jisr al shoughour, according to local media. Sources reported the use of phosphorous, napalm, cluster bombs, and rocket-propelled grenades in the attacks. According to Aljazeera, "civilians were killed and others were injured in heavy night raids by…

Summary

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

Incident Date

11 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2107

Location

كفرزيتا, Kafr Zita, Hama, Syria
Local media reported that one child died and several others were wounded in an airstrike on Kafr Zita. All sources but one blamed Russia. However, the Syrian Network for Human Rights also pointed to the regime, reporting that "the child Abdullah Mostafa Arafat, age 6, was killed when the Syrian- Russian alliance warplanes missiles fired on…

Summary

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