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

9 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2092

Location

داعل, Dael, Daraa, Syria
One civilian was killed and three injured in an airstrike in Dael, Dara'a, according to local media sources -  though it was unclear whether Russia or Assad's regime were responsible. The strike hit the field hospital "Nabd Houran", which according to Alaraby provided medical services to over 100,000 people. One nurse was killed in the…

Summary

Published
9 April 2017
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

9 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2093

Location

معرة النعمان, Ma'arat Al-Nu'man, Idlib, Syria
Two civilians were killed and three others injured in an airstrike in Ma'arat Al-Nu'man, Idlib, according to local media sources - though it was not clear whether the Assad regime or Russia were responsible. All of the known sources that reported on this attack, aside from RFS Media Office, attributed responsibility to Russian forces. Halab…

Summary

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

Incident Date

8 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2085

Location

نصيب, Nasib, Daraa, Syria
An eight year old child was killed in an airstrike in Nasib, Dara'a, according to local media sources - though it was unclear whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible. Most known sources for this event did not positively identify the aircraft. Step News reported that "Russian aircraft intensified raids yesterday [8th]...targeting two villages…

Summary

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

Incident Date

8 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2089

Location

طريق السد, Sadd Neighbourhood, Daraa, Syria
Seven to nine civilians, including two women and two children, were killed in an airstrike in the Sadd neighbourhood in Dara'a, according to local media sources - though it was unclear whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible. Seven civilians were listed in the Violations Documentations Centre with their cause of death recorded as…

Summary

Published
8 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
7–9
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

8 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2090

Location

طيبة, Tayba, Daraa, Syria
Three children were killed in an airstrike in Tayba, Dara'a, according to local media sources - though it was not clear whether Russia or Assad's regime were responsible. Local media Facebook page, Mohammed Al-Rifaei, named the three children who died in the attack and attributed responsibility to Russian forces.  Whilst most sources suggested that Russia…

Summary

Published
8 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

8 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2084

Location

دارة عزة, Darat Izza, Aleppo, Syria
Up to three civilians were killed and others injured in an airstrike in Darat Izza, Aleppo, according to local media sources - though it was unclear whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible. Whilst most sources attributed responsibility of the event to Russia, the Syrian Network for Human Rights pointed towards the "Syrian-Russian alliance",…

Summary

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