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

10 March 2017

Incident Code

RS1948

Location

عقيربات, Akeirbat, Hama, Syria
A single source reported that "Russian planes launched several raids targeting Akeirbat in eastern Hama countryside which led to several injuries." There are no other details at this time.

Summary

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

Incident Date

9 March 2017

Incident Code

RS1940

Location

مسكنة, Maskanah, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
A single source reported that six civilians were killed and 13 others were injured following an alleged Russian raid on Maskanah, Aleppo. The source alleged that the victims arrived at Raqqa National Hospital following the aerial bombardment of the vicinity.  There are no other details at this time.

Summary

Published
9 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
6
Civilians reported injured
13
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

9 March 2017

Incident Code

RS1941

Location

بعربو, B'arbo, Idlib, Syria
An unspecified number of civilians were killed and wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on B'arbo. All sources blamed Russian warplanes for the raid. Smart News reported that it was a Russian led cluster bomb attack, however, they were "unable to find details on the number and condition of the wounded and whether they included children…

Summary

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

Incident Date

9 March 2017

Incident Code

RS1945

Location

عندان, Anadan, Aleppo, Syria
As many as three civilians were killed - and others were wounded - in an airstrike on the residential neighbourhood in Anadan, Aleppo, local media reported. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. Almost all sources blamed Russian warplanes, however the White Helmets was one of a few who attributed blame to the Syrian…

Summary

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

Incident Date

9 March 2017

Incident Code

RS1942

Location

كفر داعل, Kafr Da'el, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
A number of civilians were wounded in an alleged cluster bomb attack on Kafr Da'el, Aleppo, local media reported. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame; some pointed to Russia while others accused the Syrian regime. There are no specific numbers reported killed. According to Smart, the wounded were transferred to a medical point.…

Summary

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

Incident Date

9 March 2017

Incident Code

RS1946

Location

دارة عزة, Darat Izza, Aleppo, Syria
Between three and eight civilians were killed, and dozens more were wounded, in a multi-strike raid on Darat Izza, Aleppo, local media reported. All sources blamed Russian warplanes for the airstrikes on the town. A local source reported that a school was struck in the first raid, and published images showing material damage to the infrastructure.  Al-Hajji…

Summary

Published
9 March 2017
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
3–8
Civilians reported injured
15–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident