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

2 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2046

Location

وطبة, Watba, Idlib, Syria
Some civilians were wounded in an alleged Russian raid which struck Watba, Idlib, according to sources on the ground. There were no reports of civilian fatalities. Both reports blamed Russian warplanes for the strike. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

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

Incident Date

2 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2050

Location

ريف حلب الغربي, Various location in western Aleppo countryside, Aleppo, Syria
On April 2, 2017, six civilians were killed, including four children and two women, and as many as eight others were wounded following an alleged Russian raid on various villages in the Western part of Aleppo's countryside, local media reported. All sources either attributed blame to Russia, or "unknown warplanes". According to sources Kafrnah, Khan al-Asal, Babsaka,…

Summary

Published
2 April 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
6
Civilians reported injured
2–8
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

2 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2047

Location

أم توينة, Umm Tuina, Hama, Syria
A single source reported the bombing of a civilian house in the village of Umm Tuina, according to local media. The source reported it was "likely to be Russian warplanes".  Umm Tuina is 32 km east of the city of Hama in central Syria and was under IS control at the time of the incident.…

Summary

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

Incident Date

2–3 April, 2017

Incident Code

RS2048

Location

كفر زيتا, Kafr ZIta, Hama, Syria
Three civilians were wounded in an alleged Russian or regime strike on Kafr ZIta, according to sources on the ground. Multiple reports said that a bakery was struck and rendered out of service. According to Alaraby, "the warplanes and helicopters of the regime and Russia targeted several vital installations in the countryside of Aleppo, Hama and…

Summary

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

Incident Date

2 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2049

Location

معرة النعمان, Maarat al Numan, Idlib, Syria
At least ten and as many as dozens of civilians were wounded in three alleged Russian airstrikes on the National Hospital in Maarat al Numan in rural Idlib, according to multiple local sources. Reports stated that the hospital, which served 500,000 people in Idlib and nearby areas of Hama, was rendered out of service and that…

Summary

Published
2 April 2017
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported injured
10–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

1 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2042

Location

الغسانية, Al Ghassaniya, Idlib, Syria
As many as three civilians were killed - including one woman - and several others were wounded, as a result of alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Ghassaniya, Idlib, local media reported. There were no specific figures regarding wounded civilians published. The strikes allegedly occurred at noon, and included surface to surface missiles, according to Al…

Summary

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