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

RS1999

Location

كفر زيتا, Kafr Zita, Hama, Syria
One woman was reported killed and several injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on Kafr Zita, according to multiple local media sources. The Violations Documentation Centre in Syria named the civilian who was killed and listed her cause of death as "warplane shelling" from "Russian troops". All known sources for this event attributed responsibility to…

Summary

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

Incident Date

22 March 2017

Incident Code

RS2000

Location

درعا البلد, Dara'a Al-Balad, Daraa, Syria
Up to two civilians were killed in an airstrike on Daraa al Balad, according to local media sources - though it is unclear who was responsible for the attack. Some sources attributed responsibility to Russian forces; some mentioned weapons known to be used by the Assad regime and some didn't positively identify the aircraft. Nabaa…

Summary

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

Incident Date

21 March 2017

Incident Code

RS1992

Location

Kafr Sajna, Idlib, Syria
Up to three civilians including one child were reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Kafr Sajna, according to local media sources. All of the sources who attributed responsibility for the event stated that it was Russian warplanes that struck Kafr Sajna that day. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, "suspected Russian…

Summary

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

Incident Date

21 March 2017

Incident Code

RS1993

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria
One child was reported killed and potentially another injured - though it is unclear whether it is the same child, in an alleged Russian airstrike on Khan Sheikhoun, according to local media sources.  All known sources for this incident attribute responsibility to Russian warplanes. The Violations Documentation Center in Syria named the child who died in…

Summary

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

Incident Date

21 March 2017

Incident Code

RS1994

Location

الغوطة الشرقية, Eastern Ghouta, Damascus, Syria
A single source, the Smart News Agency, reported that 23 civilians were killed and 109 others wounded in numerous airstrikes from both Assad's regime and Russia across Eastern Ghouta, Damascus. Smart News Agency used the Civil Defense as a source and reported that a spokesperson for them said: "among the dead were five children and…

Summary

Published
21 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
23
Civilians reported injured
109
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

21 March 2017

Incident Code

RS1987

Location

Kamari town, Aleppo, Syria
Five civilians were killed and 10 injured by alleged Russian airstrikes southwest of Aleppo, Smart News reported. The raids reportedly struck the town at night, killing a woman and child, as well as three men. Rescue teams worked for five hours to recover those trapped under the rubble.

Summary

Published
21 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
7–10
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident