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

8 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2087

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria
Two civilians were killed and the son of one of them injured in an alleged Russian airstrike in Khan Sheikhoun, according to local media sources. All of the known sources identified Russian warplanes as being responsible for the attack. Most sources reported that one female civilian had been killed and her son injured, however, the Violations…

Summary

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

Incident Date

8 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2086

Location

Jisr al Shoughour, Idlib, Syria
A child was reportedly killed and others injured in an alleged Russian airstrike in Jisr al Shoughour, according to local media sources. Idlib Media Centre, who specified that it was a child that was killed, added that it was during three air raids by Russian forces on the city. The raids struck the "Christian quarter"…

Summary

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

Incident Date

8 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2088

Location

اورم الجوز, Orm Al-Jouz, Idlib, Syria
Up to 20 civilians were killed, including two women and seven children, in an alleged Russian airstrike on Orm Al-Jouz, according to multiple sources. All of the known sources attributed responsibility to Russian warplanes or suspected Russian warplanes. Qasioun News reported that "five raids with rockets and other cluster bombs" were carried out on Orm Al-Jouz.…

Summary

Published
8 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
14–20
Civilians reported injured
19–21
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

7 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2079

Location

الزكاة, Al Zakat village, Hama, Syria
Local media named 22-year-old Ahmad Khaled al Daher al Kaisouha as killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Zakat village. According to Hama News Centre, the victim died "due to his wounds sustained in a Russian raid on the village of al Zakat in northern Hama."  

Summary

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

Incident Date

7 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2080

Location

حيش, Heesh, Idlib, Syria
Up to 16 civilians were killed and six others wounded following an airstrike in Heesh, Idlib, according to local media sources - though it is not clear who was responsible for the event. Whilst most sources attributed responsibility to Russian warplanes, some mentioned Assad's regime and others didn't positively identify a belligerent. Smart News, who…

Summary

Published
7 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
9–16
Civilians reported injured
6–7
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

7 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2081

Location

اللطامنة, Lataminah, Hama, Syria
Four civilians were named as being killed in an alleged Russian airstrike in al Latamna, Hama.  The Violations Documentation Centre in Syria listed their deaths as a result of "warplane shelling" from "Russian troops". The death toll included one child and one woman. The only other known source that reported on this event was the Syrian…

Summary

Published
7 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident