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

18 March 2017

Incident Code

RS1972

Location

القسطل القسطل, Al Qastal town, Hama, Syria
Russian warplanes allegedly conducted a raid on the outskirts of Al Qastal town in Hama Governorate, Smart News Agency reported. Civilian casualties have been reported, but their number and identities are still unclear.

Summary

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

Incident Date

17 March 2017

Incident Code

RS1969

Location

كفر حوت, Kafr Hout , Aleppo, Syria
Russian warplanes wounded two civilians in a raid on the village of Kafr Hout in southern Aleppo Governorate, western Syria, according to sources on the ground. Sources were unclear of the identity of those injured in this attack. Smart News Today reported that two women were wounded, while Aleppo Civil Defence said that one woman…

Summary

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

Incident Date

17 March 2017

Incident Code

RS1971

Location

اورم الكبرى, Urma Al-Kubra, Aleppo, Syria
Between three and eight civilians were killed and a further six were wounded f as a result of alleged air raids by Russian warplanes in the town of Urma al Kubra in Aleppo Governorate on the 17th of March 2017. Sources said that four victims from the same family died in the attack. The Violations…

Summary

Published
17 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
3–8
Civilians reported injured
2–6
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 March 2017

Incident Code

RS1970

Location

الطبقة مسكنة, the road between Maskanah and Tabaqa, Raqqa, Syria
Eight civilians were killed and another 17 were injured when their bus was struck during an air raid between Maskanah and Tabaqa, according to sources on the ground. Smart News Agency reported that it is ‘likely’ the warplanes that conducted the attack were Russian. The Violations Documentation Center in Syria has named Ahmad Al-Zaher as…

Summary

Published
17 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
8
Civilians reported injured
17
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

16 March 2017

Incident Code

RS1968

Location

أبين سمعان, Abin Sama’an , Aleppo, Syria
One woman died and several other civilians were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Abin Sama’an town, according to sources on the ground. Omawi.news.agency reported: "Russian warplanes carried out several air strikes with rockets on the towns of Abyan Semaan and Sheikh Ali in the western countryside of Aleppo, wounding several people and causing extensive…

Summary

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

Incident Date

16 March 2017

Incident Code

RS1965

Location

معراته, Ma’arata town, Aleppo, Syria
Local media reported that Russia carried out an airstrike on Ma’arata town, leding to an unspecified number of civilian casualties. According to the Step News Agency, "Russian warplanes launched vacuum missiles targeting Ma’arata in western Aleppo causing casualties among civilians."

Summary

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