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

7 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2082

Location

بداما, Bdama, Idlib, Syria
Two civilians were reportedly injured following an airstrike in Bdama, Idlib, according to local media sources. It is not clear who was responsible for the event, whilst the majority of the sources blamed Russia, one mentioned the Assad regime. Step News reported that "Russian air force carried out a massive airstrike targeting the town of…

Summary

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

Incident Date

7 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2083

Location

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria
One child was killed and two others injured in airstrike in Douma, according to local media sources - though it was unclear whether Russia or the Assad regime was responsible. Freedomraise News, who attributed responsibility for the event to Assad's regime, detailed that "two rocket attacks were carried out at 4:30 pm today, the first hit…

Summary

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

Incident Date

6 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2075

Location

الحور, Hor, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
A mother and her two children were killed, and as many as four more civilians were injured, following an airstrike on the residential neighbourhood of Hor, Aleppo. All sources blamed Russian warplanes for the raid. Al Jazeera initially reported that "a girl and her mother were killed in the bombing" on Hor, however, later reports…

Summary

Published
6 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
2–3
Civilians reported injured
2–4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

6 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2077

Location

اللطامنة, Lataminah, Hama, Syria
Between one and six civilians were killed, and others were wounded, in an airstrike on Lataminah. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, with most blaming Syrian regime helicopters, whilst some others blamed Russian warplanes. Smart News Agency reported unidentified warplanes fired missiles.  One source reported that an entire family of six were killed, however…

Summary

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

Incident Date

6 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2073

Location

الضاهرية, Dahiriya, Idlib, Syria
Two to four civilians were killed, and others were wounded, following an airstrike on Dahiriya. All sources blamed Russian warplanes for the raids. Sources were conflicted as to whether the civilians killed were women or girls. For example, AMC reported two women were killed, whereas Al Jazeera reported two girls were killed. It cannot be ruled…

Summary

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

Incident Date

6 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2078

Location

كفر زيتا, Kafr Zita, Hama, Syria
As many as seven civilians were killed, and seven civilians were wounded, following an airstrike on Kafr Zita. Sources were confused as to who was to blame, some blamed Russian warplanes, others the Syrian regime. The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SN4HR) blamed the Syrian-Russian alliance.  There was also confusion as to how many casualties there were…

Summary

Published
6 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
2–7
Civilians reported injured
7
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident