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

21 March 2017

Incident Code

RS1986

Location

عقيربات, Akeirbat, Hama, Syria
One child was reported killed and others wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Akeirbat, Hama, according to one local source - Smart News Agency. Smart reported: "a child is killed and others wounded in raids thought to be Russian on the outskirts of Akeirbat in eastern Hama". There were no other known sources for…

Summary

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

Incident Date

21 March 2017

Incident Code

RS1988

Location

Kafr Joum village, western Aleppo countryside, Aleppo, Syria
The “Magic World” area near Kafr Joum was struck by alleged Syrian and Russian planes just after midnight, killing five civilians and wounding at least five others, according to local sources. Civil defence teams worked throughout the airstrikes to rescue those trapped under rubble. While many sources reported nine injured, the Syrian Press Centre claimed…

Summary

Published
21 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
5–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

21 March 2017

Incident Code

RS1991

Location

السخنة, Sokhna, Homs, Syria
At least two civilians were killed and another civilian, a woman, was wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes against the city of Sokhna in eastern Homs, according to a single source. The Smart News Agency reported that the city was under the control of ISIS at the time of the strike - and that Russian planes…

Summary

Published
21 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

21 March 2017

Incident Code

RS1989

Location

Ma'arat Al Nu'man, Idlib, Syria
Air raids on the outskirts of Ma'arat Al Nu'man wounded up to seven civilians, local media reported. The Aleppo Media Centre claimed Russian aircraft bombarded the city with phosphorus shells.

Summary

Published
21 March 2017
Civilians reported injured
2–7
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

21 March 2017

Incident Code

RS1990

Location

Idlib city, Idlib, Syria
According to the Step News Agency, Russia carried out raids on Idlib on March 21st, resulting in "news of civilian casualties". @HosamAlhaji said that an airstrike "targeted a building opposite the Carlton Hotel", resulting in material damage. No other sources mentioned civilian harm.

Summary

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

Incident Date

20 March 2017

Incident Code

RS1982

Location

كفركرمين, Kafr Karmin, Aleppo, Syria
Several civilians were reported wounded following two airstrikes on the village of Kafar Karmin in western Aleppo countryside. Only one source, the Step News Agency, blamed Russia; the others didn’t apportion blame, referring only to “warplanes”.

Summary

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