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

23 March 2017

Incident Code

RS2009

Location

ادلب, Idlib City, Idlib, Syria
Several civilians were killed and several more were wounded as airstrikes, allegedly carried out by Russia or the Syrian regime, struck Idlib Electricity Company in the centre of Idlib city, local sources reported. What was described as "heavy air raids" by @shahed_alep reportedly killed up to two civilians and wounded as many as four. @News_truth_ reported that the…

Summary

Published
23 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
2–4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

23 March 2017

Incident Code

RS2006

Location

كفرزيتا, Kafr Zita, Hama, Syria
One civilian was killed and several wounded as alleged Russian airstrikes struck the town of Kafr Zita, Hama, local media reported. RFS Media Office reported that "the town of Kfar Zeita was targeted by more than 20 raids resulting in the death of a martyr and several wounded." RFS Media Office and Step News Agency…

Summary

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

Incident Date

23 March 2017

Incident Code

RS2007

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria
One person died and several were left wounded in an alleged Russian or Assad-waged airstrike that struck Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, local sources reported. All known sources reported one civilian casualty, most likely a woman. AMC Aleppo's reporting hinted that it was a male victim while @alikrarrkar and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights believed it was  woman.…

Summary

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

Incident Date

22 March 2017

Incident Code

RS2001

Location

كفرحوت, Kafr Hout, Aleppo, Syria
Up to two civilians were reported killed and others injured in an airstrike on Kafr Hout, Southern Aleppo, according to local sources - though it was unclear whether Russia or Assad's regime were responsible for the attack. According to Step News Agency, "the Russian warplanes targeted the village of Kfar Hout with three air strikes,…

Summary

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

Incident Date

22 March 2017

Incident Code

RS2002

Location

جبل حويسيس, Jabal Huweisses, Homs, Syria
Four civilians were reported killed and others injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on Jabal Huweisses, Homs - though there was only one known source for the event. Smart News Agency reported: "Four civilians were killed and others injured in an airstrike thought to be Russian on a city, village and mountain under the control of…

Summary

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

Incident Date

22 March 2017

Incident Code

RS1995

Location

منوخ, Manoukh, Homs, Syria
One civilian was reported killed and his wife injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on Manoukh, Homs - though only one known source reported on the event. Step News Agency, who stated that the airstrike was "thought to be Russian", reported: "The activists said that the aircraft carried out several raids on the village of Manoukh,…

Summary

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