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

22 March 2017

Incident Code

RS2003

Location

عين ترما, Ain Tarma, Damascus, Syria
Two civilians were reported killed and several others wounded in airstrikes on Ain Tarma, according to local media sources - though it was unclear whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible for the attack. Smart News Agency who reported that the attack was likely to be a Russian air raid, stated that the two…

Summary

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

Incident Date

22 March 2017

Incident Code

RS2004

Location

اريحا, Ariha, Idlib, Syria
Three civilians were reported  wounded following an airstrike with a phosphorous bomb attack in Ariha, Idlib, according to local media sources - though it was unclear whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible for the attack. Smart News, who also reported the attack to be a phosphorous bomb attack, stated that "six more raids…

Summary

Published
22 March 2017
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

22 March 2017

Incident Code

RS1997

Location

جسر الشغور, Jisir Al-Shoghour, Idlib, Syria
Four civilians were killed and up to five injured in an air or artillery strike on Jisir Al-Shoghour, according to local media sources - though it is unclear whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible for the event. Akhbar News, who put the death toll at four killed and five wounded, reported that "Russian aircraft…

Summary

Published
22 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
2–5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

22 March 2017

Incident Code

RS1996

Location

سخنة, Sukhna, Homs, Syria
Four civilians were reported to have been wounded in an airstrike in Sukhna, according to local media sources - though it was unclear whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible. Smart News Agency placed responsibility for the attack on Russia, claiming that it wounded four civilians. It should be noted however, that this was…

Summary

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

Incident Date

22 March 2017

Incident Code

RS1998

Location

الطيبات, Al Taibat, Idlib, Syria
Two civilians were reported killed and others wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Taibat, Idlib - according to local media sources. Smart News reported that two "unknown people" were killed in the attack. This was corroborated by both LCCSY and Syrian Network for Human Rights, both of whom reported that Russian warplanes were…

Summary

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

Incident Date

22–23 March, 2017

Incident Code

RS2005

Location

حلفايا, Halfaya , Hama, Syria
Five named civilians were reportedly killed and several other civilians were wounded in alleged strikes by Russian or regime warplanes on Halfaya, Hama, on March 22nd or 23rd, local sources reported. The road between al-Majdal and Halfaya village in Hama was reportedly struck by both air and artillery bombardment on either March 22nd or 23rd.…

Summary

Published
23 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident