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

6 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2076

Location

خان السبل, Khan Al-Subul, Idlib, Syria
Up to two civilians were killed, and as many as three were wounded, in an airstrike on Khan Al-Subul. All sources either blamed Russia for the raids or did not attribute any blame. According to Al Jazeera, those who were wounded were left in a serious condition, and there was considerable material damage - and livestock…

Summary

Published
6 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
2–3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

6 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2074

Location

ابو حنايا, Abo Hanaya, Hama, Syria
A single source reported there were "Dead and wounded by Russian air strikes on the village of Abu Hanaya east of Hama". There are no other details at this time.

Summary

Published
6 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
0–2
Civilians reported injured
0–2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

5 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2071

Location

ابو الضهور, Abo Al-Zuhur, Idlib, Syria
One adult male was killed, and another man was injured in an airstrike on Abo Al-Zuhur. All sources blamed Russian raids for the airstrike.  Smart news reported that "shelling took [place in] the town of Abu-Zuhurt (50 km east of Idlib), killing one civilian and injuring another from the village of Umm al-Karamil in Aleppo. The…

Summary

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

Incident Date

5 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2072

Location

عين السودة, Ain Al-Sawda, Idlib, Syria
Two civilians were killed - including an adult male and a male child - and between four and five others were injured - including a woman - following airstrikes in Ain Al-Sawda. All sources blamed Russian raids for the strikes, except a local tweet, Abdlrazak-sbeh, who simply alleged that "air raids that struck the village" causing the…

Summary

Published
5 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
4–5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

5 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2070

Location

كفرزيتا, Kafr Zita, Hama, Syria
A single source reported that Zayed Awad al Rajab was the victim of Russian warplane shelling on Kafr Zita.  There are no other details at this time.

Summary

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

Incident Date

5 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2069

Location

بداما, Bdama, Idlib, Syria
As many as eight civilians were wounded - including women and children - in an airstrike on Bdama. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, some blaming Russia and others the Syrian regime. EdlibNN  tweetted that "Russian warplanes bombard the perimeter of the town of Bdama in rural Jisr al-Shughour". Syria News Desk and…

Summary

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