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

16 March 2017

Incident Code

RS1966

Location

Idlib city, Idlib, Syria
At least one woman died - and was possibly killed, according to one report - in multiple airstrikes on different neighbourhoods in Idlib, local media said. While most reports blamed Russia, there were also allegations against the regime. Syria News Desk reported the only fatality, one woman: "A woman was killed and other civilians were…

Summary

Published
16 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1–5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

16 March 2017

Incident Code

RS1964

Location

كفركرمين, Kafr Karmin, Aleppo, Syria
Local media reported that three civilians including a child were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Kafr Karmin. The Smart News put the number wounded at three, adding that this total included one child. Numerous other sources reported that Russia carried out the strikes - and published video footage of the aftermath.

Summary

Published
16 March 2017
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

16 March 2017

Incident Code

RS1967

Location

الأتارب الشيخ علي, al Sheikh Ali village in Al Atarib district, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Local media reported that three civilians died and several more were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on the al Sheikh Ali village in Al Atarib district, Aleppo. On March 16th, Baladi reported: "he cities and towns of Al-Atareb, Sheikh Ali, Babis, Maarat al-Atareb, Abyan Samaan and Kfarkermin were heavily shelled by the Russian air…

Summary

Published
16 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

15 March 2017

Incident Code

RS1961

Location

معرة مصرين, Maarat Misrin, Idlib, Syria
A woman was killed and other civlians were wounded in an alleged Russian raid on property in Maarat Misrin, local media reported. All sources either attributed blame to Russia, or blamed unknown warplanes. According to Syrian-mirror, the wounded were taken to nearby medical points where they were treated for their injuries. Step news agency specified…

Summary

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

Incident Date

15 March 2017

Incident Code

RS1962

Location

السخنة المحطة الثالثة, the third station near al Sukhna, Homs, Syria
Up to five civilians died and several more were injured in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on the third station near al Sukhna, local sources reported. According to the Step News Agency, "Russian warplanes launched several air raids targeting the third station near al Sukhna in eastern Homs which led to a number of…

Summary

Published
15 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–5
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

15 March 2017

Incident Code

RS1963

Location

القصور, Al Qusour neighbourhood, Idlib city, Idlib, Syria
At least 39 civilians were killed, including 25 children and six women, and dozens more were injured, following a raid which hit residential housing in the al-Qusour neighbourhood, Idlib city, local media reported. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, with some attributing blame to Russia and others to the Syrian regime. Various…

Summary

Published
15 March 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Residential (Apartment Building)
Civilians reported killed
39
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident