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

11 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2109

Location

ادلب, Idlib City, Idlib, Syria
One named civilian was wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Idlib city, according to a single source. According to the Smart News Agency, "the destruction was caused by Russian air strikes on the perimeter of the Cariton building in the city of Idlib on 11 April 2017, which resulted in the injury of a…

Summary

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

Incident Date

11 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2108

Location

بزيت, Bezeit village, Jisr al Shoughour countryside, Idlib, Syria
One civilian died and several others were injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on Bezeit village in the Jisr al Shoughour countryside, multiple local sources reported. According to the Step News Agency, "Russian planes launched a phosphorous raid targeting Bezeit in Jisr al Shoughour killing one person and injuring others." Other sources also reported the use…

Summary

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

Incident Date

11 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2110

Location

بداما, Bdama, Idlib, Syria
Between two and six civilians including a child died and up to eight more were wounded in an alleged Russia airstrike on the road between Bdama and Hambushiyah in the countryside of Idlib, according to local media. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, "a child and a man were killed and eight others were injured…

Summary

Published
11 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
2–6
Civilians reported injured
3–8
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

11 April 2017–12 April 2019

Incident Code

RS2111

Location

كفركرمين, Kafr Karmin, Aleppo, Syria
One child - a six-year-old girl - died and up to six more civilians including another child and two women were wounded in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on Kafr Karmin on the night of April 11th-12th, according to local media. Qasioun reported: "A girl was killed and others were wounded early today [April 12th],…

Summary

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

Incident Date

10 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2096

Location

تل_الدهب, Tal Al Dahab, Idlib, Syria
Two members of the civil defence were reported wounded in an alleged Russia airstrike on Tal Al Dahab. The Smart News Agency reported: "The media official of the civil defence in the Jisr Al-Shughour district, Duraid Haj Hammoud, told the Smart's correspondent that the raid targeted the village of Tal Dahab, wounding a civil defence member…

Summary

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

Incident Date

10 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2105

Location

عويجل, Ouweijal, Aleppo, Syria
According to sources, multiple airstrikes struck the towns of Ouweijal and Kafr Naha  in western Aleppo wounding an unspecified number of civilians. All sources attributed the blame to Russian warplanes. Most sources alleged that phosphorus and cluster munitions were used. Multiple civilians were reported wounded and fires were caused.  There are no other details at…

Summary

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