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

30 March 2017

Incident Code

RS2037

Location

حقل شاعر النفطي, Sha'er oil field, Homs, Syria
At least two civilians were killed, including a child, and four others were injured in airstrikes against the Sha'er oil field in eastern Homs, local media reported. The civilians that were injured were transferred to a hospital in the nearby village of Hamadi Omar in eastern Hama. According to Smart News Agency, the airstrikes were…

Summary

Published
30 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

30 March 2017

Incident Code

RS2038

Location

معرة النعمان, Maarat al Numan, Idlib, Syria
At least two civilians were killed and between five and six others were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes against the city of Maarat al Numan in the Idlib countryside. The majority of local sources only reported injuries while Syrian Mirror reported that there were also deaths of civilians from the airstrikes. The injured civilians were rescued…

Summary

Published
30 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
5–6
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

29 March 2017

Incident Code

RS2035

Location

الحمبوشية بداما, Al Hamboushiya/Badama, Idlib, Syria
Between one and two civilians were killed and at least 14 others were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes against the village of Al Hamboushiya and the town of Badama in the western part of Jisr al Shoughour, local media reported. Most sources reported the death toll as two civilians while only the Syrian Observatory for…

Summary

Published
29 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
14
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

29 March 2017

Incident Code

RS2031

Location

خضيرة, Khadira, Hama, Syria
At least two civilians, including a woman and child, were killed and another civilian was wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes against the village of Khadira in the Akeirbat district of eastern Hama. The injured civilian was in serious condition at the time of reporting. According to Smart News Agency, the airstrikes were carried out by…

Summary

Published
29 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

29 March 2017

Incident Code

RS2036

Location

جسر الشغور, Jisr al Shoughour, Idlib, Syria
Several civilians were killed and several others were injured in alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes against the town of Jisr al Shoughour in the Idlib countryside, according to sources on the ground. While local sources gave conflicting reports of who was responsible for the airstrikes, the majority of sources did not identify who was…

Summary

Published
29 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

29 March 2017

Incident Code

RS2032

Location

جبل الشيخ, Jabal al Sheikh, Aleppo, Syria
At least three people were killed in airstrikes against Jabal al Sheikh in the Aleppo governorate, local media said, It was unclear whether those that were killed were militants or civilians. According to Halab Today TV, the airstrikes were carried out by Russia planes. However, only one source reported on the incident.

Summary

Published
29 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident