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

20 March 2017

Incident Code

RS1983

Location

جسر الشغور, Jisir Al Shoghour, Idlib, Syria
Between two and seven civilians including two women died in alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes on the residential neighbourhoods of Jisr Al-Shoghour, according to local sources. A further eight civilians , including four women, were allegedly injured. Baladi, Alaraby and Sdusyria put the death toll at three civilians. IkhwanSyria put the death toll still higher, at seven civilians…

Summary

Published
20 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
2–7
Civilians reported injured
2–8
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

20 March 2017

Incident Code

RS1985

Location

دبسي الفرج دبسي أبو عاصي, Abu A’ssi village, Dibsi village and Dibsi al Faraj villages, Raqqa, Syria
A mother and her four children were among 11 civilians killed and 20 wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on villages in northern Syria, Smart News Agency reported. A further 20 civilians were reportedly wounded. According to the Smart News Agency, “Thirty-one civilians, including children and women, were killed and wounded by air strikes by Russian…

Summary

Published
20 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
11
Civilians reported injured
20
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

20 March 2017

Incident Code

RS1984

Location

eastern Ghouta, Damascus, Syria
A child was among at least two civilians killed by alleged Russian or Syrian air or artillery strikes in the besieged eastern towns of eastern Ghouta, according to sources on the ground. Al Jazeera reported 15 dead. Schools in the area closed due the proximity of the strikes, according to SMART News, who blamed both Russia…

Summary

Published
20 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
2–15
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

20 March 2017

Incident Code

RS1980

Location

النشمي, Al Namshi village, Hama, Syria
Two civilians were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Namshia village, east of Hama, the Smart News Agency reported. No further details are currently available.

Summary

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

Incident Date

20 March 2017

Incident Code

RS1981

Location

التوامة, Al Tawame, Aleppo, Syria
Alleged Russian airstrikes wounded civilians Al Tawame, in the countryside of western Aleppo, local sources reported. According to the Step News Agency, “Russian aircraft launched several air strikes with vacuum missiles  targeting the vicinity of the town”.

Summary

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

Incident Date

19 March 2017

Incident Code

RS1979

Location

Idlib city, Idlib, Syria
Between five and six civilians were killed and an unknown number wounded in air strikes allegedly conducted by Russian forces in the city of Idlib. Some sources claimed the Syrian regime was also involved in the attack. The victims killed in the raids were displaced from the village of Ghantu in northern Homs, “all of…

Summary

Published
19 March 2017
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
5–6
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident