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

4 March 2017

Incident Code

RS1931

Location

هجين, Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Airstrikes on the town of Hajjin in Deir Ezzor reportedly killed at least one four-year old girl and critically wounded several other civilians - though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime carried out the strike. With the exception of the Step News Agency, who reported as many as three civilian…

Summary

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

Incident Date

4 March 2017

Incident Code

RS1932

Location

بشنطرة, Bshanetra, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Four civilians, including two children, were killed and up to seven wounded, reported local sources after the village of Bashnatra, Aleppo, was hit by either Russian or Assad-waged air and/or artillery strikes. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, "the deaths of four people - including two children - was confirmed. The victims were killed in…

Summary

Published
4 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
2–7
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

4 March 2017

Incident Code

RS1933

Location

كفرنبل, Kafr Nabil, Idlib, Syria
Referring to this incident as a "massacre", multiple sources reported that Russian or Assad-waged warplanes struck the city of Kafr Nabil, Idlib, killing up to seven civilians largely from one family - wounding "dozens" more. According to Orient News's sources on the ground, "the Russian air force targeted the city of Kafr Nabil west of…

Summary

Published
4 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
4–7
Civilians reported injured
4–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

3 March 2017

Incident Code

RS1927

Location

تدمر, Palmyra, Homs, Syria
In this single-source incident, the Smart News Agency "that five dead and 14 wounded, including women and children, arrived at the al Tabaqa hospital". It said they had died in a bombing by "military aircraft" on Palmyra's eastern desert - and went on to say that the culprit was likely to be Russia. It is…

Summary

Published
3 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
14
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

2 March 2017

Incident Code

RS1926

Location

السخنة, Sokhna, Homs, Syria
One source, the Smart News Agency, reported that an unspecified number of civilians were killed and wounded in an airstrike on Sokhna. Smart said that a convoy was struck. @youthvoiceSSS reported that "a convoy belonging to Daesh" was struck by the regime - but made no mention of civilian harm.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

28 February 2017

Incident Code

RS1923

Location

ترملا, Tramla, Idlib, Syria
Three members of one family were killed - including a father, daughter and granddaughter - and others were wounded, following an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Tramla, local media reported. All sources except Idlib Media Centre - who said the regime was responsible - attributed blame to Russia.  According to sources, a vacuum…

Summary

Published
28 February 2017
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident