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

3 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2055

Location

النقير, Al-Nakir, Idlib, Syria
One adult female civilian was reported  wounded following an alleged Russian airstrike on the outskirts of Al-Nakir. There were no details of any other wounded civilians or any casualties. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

Published
3 April 2017
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

3 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2060

Location

سقبا, Saqba, Damascus, Syria
As many as five civilians were killed - including a child and two women - and others were injured, following an alleged air and artillery strikes on the residential neighbourhood of Saqba. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. Some blamed Russia, while others blamed the Syrian regime for the raids. According to Abohanin617 and Shehab…

Summary

Published
3 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
3–5
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

3 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2056

Location

حمورية, Hamouriya, Damascus, Syria
One or two civilians was killed, and others were wounded, in an alleged rocket attack in Hamouriya in Damascus, according to local media. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. All sources blamed the Syrian regime, except the Step News Agency, who blamed both the Syrian regime and Russia.  According to sources, one…

Summary

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

Incident Date

3 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2051

Location

حرستا, Harasta, Damascus, Syria
Local media reported the death of one civilian and injury of several more in an alleged Russia or Assad regime airstrike on Harasta. The Smart News Agency reported: "The civil defense said that a civilian was killed and another wounded by two aircraft strikes on the area linking the town of Madara and the city of…

Summary

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

Incident Date

3 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2061

Location

سراقب, Saraqeb, Idlib, Syria
Up to five civilians were killed - including an entire family of four people - and as many as seven other civilians were injured - including three children - in an airstrike which struck the residential neighbourhood of Saraqeb, according to local media. Sources all blamed Russian warplanes for the raid, though some, such as Smart…

Summary

Published
3 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
4–5
Civilians reported injured
3–7
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

3 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2062

Location

الهبيط, al Habeet, Idlib, Syria
Three civilians - a mother and her two children - died and up to 20 more were wounded in an alleged Russia or Assad regime airstrike on al Habeet, according to sources on the ground. According to the Step News Agency, "Russian warplanes targeted the town of Habeet in the southern countryside of Idlib with twenty-three…

Summary

Published
3 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
20
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident