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

19 March 2017

Incident Code

RS1974

Location

مسكنة, Maskana, Aleppo, Syria
Russian warplanes killed between four and seven civilians, including two children and two women, in an alleged attack on the Hittin compound in the the city of Maskanah, local media reported. According to the Step News Agency, “seven civilians, including two children and a woman, were killed and dozens more wounded when Russian warplanes targeted…

Summary

Published
19 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

19 March 2017

Incident Code

RS1975

Location

كفرناها, Kafr Naha, Aleppo, Syria
One man was killed and four other civilians were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on a residential area in Kafr Naha on 19th March 2017, according to sources on the ground.. The raid reportedly resulted in a fire which led to further damage.

Summary

Published
19 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

19 March 2017

Incident Code

RS1976

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria
Raids carried out by warplanes led to the deaths of four civilians including a woman and two children and wounded a further 12 people, sources said. It is unclear who was responsible for these attacks, with some reports blaming the Russians and others accusing the regime. Syrian Mirror reported: "Russian warplanes targeted the eastern neighborhood…

Summary

Published
19 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
5–7
Civilians reported injured
10–12
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

19 March 2017

Incident Code

RS1977

Location

سوحا, Soha village, Hama, Syria
Two people were killed and a further two were injured in what was ‘likely’ a Russian airstrike in Soha village in eastern Hama Governorate on March 19th 2017, according to one local source, the Smart News Agency. The attack was reportedly carried out within ISIS territory, and killed a man and his wife - and…

Summary

Published
19 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
0–2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

19–20 March, 2017

Incident Code

RS1978

Location

معارة الأتارب, Ma’arat al Atarib, Aleppo, Syria
One woman was killed and at least two children wounded as alleged Russian airstrikes fell near a mosque in Ma'arat Al Atarib, western Aleppo, local sources reported. The Syrian Network for Human Rights was among sources blaming Russia. However, NABD News attributed the airstrikes to Syrian warplanes. Three children were wounded, according to the Syrian Civil…

Summary

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

Incident Date

18 March 2017

Incident Code

RS1973

Location

تقاد, Taqad, Aleppo, Syria
The remnants of a cluster bomb that had been dropped earlier during a Russian air raid in Taqad resulted in the death of one civilian, Mohammed Al Talal, according to sources on the ground.Multiple sources said one civilian was also injured during this raid.

Summary

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