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

10 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2102

Location

إدلب, Idlib, Idlib, Syria
Two consecutive airstrikes in Idlib city, believed to be executed by Russian warplanes, allegedly wounded two civilian women and caused significant damage to property and infrastructure. The Idlib governorate had seen an intensification of bombardments in the days before, despite the announced truce previous December.  There are no other details at this time.

Summary

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

Incident Date

10 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2103

Location

قرية اللج, Al Laj village, Homs, Syria
Activists of Smart News Agency reported that an unspecified number of civilians were killed and wounded in an air bombardment on the village of Al Laj. The source added that it was "thought to be Russian". Al Laj is a village in the eastern Homs countryside, and was controlled by Islamic State. There are no…

Summary

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

Incident Date

10 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2104

Location

بلدة حور, Hour village, Aleppo, Syria
Local media reported on the killing of a shepherd and his daughter due to multiple airstrikes in the village of Hour in western Aleppo. Sources reported that the strikes were likely Russian, although some sources alleged they were launched by the Syrian regime. Most sources reported the use of cluster bombs. "Multiple" civilians were wounded…

Summary

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

Incident Date

9 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2094

Location

سرمين, Sarmin, Idlib, Syria
Up to two civilians were killed and four injured in an alleged Russian airstrike in Sarmin, Idlib, according to local media sources. The head of the Centre for Civil Defense reportedly told Smart News that the Russians bombed the city with rockets using the "Sukhoi 35" aircraft, killing a woman and wounding four civilians, including…

Summary

Published
9 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

9 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2095

Location

سراقب, Saraqeb, Idlib, Syria
Two civilians were killed in an airstrike in Saraqeb, Idlib, according to local media sources - though it was not clear whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible. Almost all of the known sources that reported on this event, regardless of belligerent, noted that internationally banned phosphorous bombs were used. Al Jazeera's correspondent in…

Summary

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

Incident Date

9 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2091

Location

كفرزيتا, Kafr Zita, Hama, Syria
Two children were wounded in an airstrike in Kafr Zita, according to local media sources - though it was not clear whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible. Whilst most sources attribute responsibility to Russia, a tweet from @B.Alhamwi, stated that "Assad's gangs" had struck Kafr Zita and wounded two children.  Activists who spoke…

Summary

Published
9 April 2017
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident