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

4 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2063

Location

عنجارة, Ainjara, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
An elderly woman was killed when her home in the agricultural neighbourhood of Ainjara, Aleppo was struck by missiles. Sources all reported that Russia was to be held accountable for this raid. According to sources, others were also wounded. Footage published by Smart News, shows the damage left behind and the remnants of the missile shell.…

Summary

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

Incident Date

4 April 2017

Incident Codes

CS662a RS2068

Location

سلقين, Salqeen, Idlib, Syria
As many as 37 civilians were killed, and between 12 and 50 were wounded, following an airstrike on Salqeen - according to local sources. Up to 17 children and five women were allegedly killed in this raid on the residential neighbourhood. According to Euphrates Post, "four of them a family from eastern Deir Ezzor". The…

Summary

Published
4 April 2017
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
7–37
Civilians reported injured
12–50
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

4 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2066

Location

سقبا, Saqba, Damascus, Syria
Up to 18 civilians were killed, and between 12 and 50 were wounded, following an airstrike on Saqba. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, some attributing blame to Russia, while others blamed the Syrian regime - though the majority of sources pointed to Russia. Four rockets were allegedly fired at one residential building,…

Summary

Published
4 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
9–18
Civilians reported injured
12–50
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

4 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2064

Location

Kafr Nbouda, Hama, Syria
Three civilians from one family were killed in an alleged Russian raid on Kfar Nbouda, according to reports from the ground. Both sources blamed Russian warplanes for the raid. The Smart News Agency reported: "Three civilians from a family were killed on Monday night [April 3rd] by a bombardment of warplanes likely to be Russian on…

Summary

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

Incident Date

4 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2065

Location

Jisir Al-Shoghour, Idlib, Syria
Up to 11 civilians were killed, and dozens more were wounded, following an alleged missile strike on Jisir Al-Shoghour. Almost all sources blamed Russian warplanes for the incident. Some, however, remained impartial, and two blamed the Syrian regime. According to sources, three children and women were killed in the raid. LCCSY and Step News put the…

Summary

Published
4 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
4–11
Civilians reported injured
9–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

4 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2067

Location

Hamouriya, Damascus, Syria
As many as eight civilians were killed, and dozens more were wounded in an airstrike on a residential neighbourhood in Hamouriya. Sources were conflicted regarding who was to blame. All sources blamed the Syrian regime except Smart who pointed to Russian warplanes. The shelling reportedly occurred in conjunction with many other raids on towns in the countryside of…

Summary

Published
4 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–8
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident