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

RS2052

Location

حلفايا, Halfaya, Hama, Syria
A young man was killed, and several more were wounded, following an air or artillery strike on Halfaya. Sources were conflicted as to who whether this was the work of Russia or the regime, though most reports pointed to the regime. Most sources blamed Syrian regime rocket launches and barrel bombs. There were no specific reports…

Summary

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

Incident Date

3 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2057

Location

حي جوبر, Jobar neighbourhood, Damascus, Damascus, Syria
Local media reported an unspecified number of dead and wounded civilians in heavy strikes by alleged Russian and Assad regime warplanes on Damascus's Jobar neighbourhood. Reports said that there had been as many as 40 airstrikes within just a few hours Aljazeera: "Russian and Syrian planes have carried out dozens of raids on the Jubar…

Summary

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

Incident Date

3 April–4 February, 2017

Incident Code

RS2053

Location

كفرناها, Kafr Naha, Aleppo, Syria
An unspecified number of civilians were wounded in air and artillery strikes on Kafr Naha - though it was unclear whether Russia or the regime were to blame. Syria_ar noted that the "Al-Rahal Society" in the town was struck. According to the Step News Agency, "Russian air raids targeted Kafr Naha and its outskirts and…

Summary

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

Incident Date

3 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2058

Location

كفرنبودة, Kafr Nbouda, Hama, Syria
As many as three civilians from the same family - including a child and a woman - were killed, and up to four more were wounded, following a raid on Kafr Nbouda. All sources blamed Russian warplanes for the raid, except the Syrian Network for Human Righhst who pointed to both Russia and the Assad regime.…

Summary

Published
3 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–3
Civilians reported injured
2–4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

3 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2059

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria
Between two and four civilians were killed and up to 15 more were injured following an alleged Russia or Assad regime missile strike on Khan Sheikhoun. Syria News Desk said that up to 20 people were killed and wounded, specifying that three civilians were killed, meaning as many as 17 were likely injured in the raid.…

Summary

Published
3 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
2–4
Civilians reported injured
2–17
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

3 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2054

Location

بزابور, Bzabor, Idlib, Syria
Between one and three civilians were killed, and others were wounded, in an alleged Russian airstrike on Bzabor, local media said. Both sources attributed blame to Russian warplanes. According to SMO, "activists reported that the Russian occupation aircraft launched several air raids on the city of Khan Sheikun and the town of Bazabor, killing three people…

Summary

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