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

28 February 2017

Incident Code

RS1924

Location

تدمر‎, Palmyra , Homs, Syria
A child was killed, and others were wounded, in alleged Russian raids and/or Syrian regime artillery strikes on Palmyra. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame with some attributing blame to the Regime and others to Russia. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

Published
28 February 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

28 February 2017

Incident Code

RS1925

Location

حطلة, Hatla, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between 11 and 13 civilians were killed at a river crossing point in Hatla by alleged Russian aircraft, local sources reported. Other civilians were wounded but no specific numbers were reported. All sources blamed Russia for the raid. Sources reported that women and children were included in the death toll. There was not only destruction…

Summary

Published
28 February 2017
Civilians reported killed
11–13
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

27 February 2017

Incident Code

RS1921

Location

ربيعة, Rabi'a, Homs, Syria
According to Smart, an unspecified number of civilians were wounded and killed following a "likely Russian" airstrike on Rabi'a. It was reported that "the aircraft fired missiles on the outskirts of the village which was under the control of 'Islamic State', killing three civilians, including a child, and injuring five others, including a woman, some of…

Summary

Published
27 February 2017
Civilians reported killed
0–3
Civilians reported injured
0–5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

27 February 2017

Incident Code

RS1922

Location

الهزاني, Al-Hazani, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Three civilians were killed, and others were wounded, in an alleged air and artillery strike on Al-Hazani, Aleppo. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. Two sources reported that Russia was responsible for the raid, whilst others attributed blame to the Syrian regime. SyriaMubasher reported that military aircraft were to blame - therefore not attributing…

Summary

Published
27 February 2017
Civilians reported killed
0–3
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

27 February 2017

Incident Code

RS1919

Location

ابو الهناية/خفسة, Abu Hanaya/Khafsa, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Between eight and ten civilians were reported killed - and others were reported wounded - following alleged Russian shelling on Abu Hanaya/Khafsa, Aleppo. All sources attributed blame to Russian warplanes. Aranews claimed that a large number of civilians was wounded, no other sources gave specific details on the wounded.  There are no other details at this…

Summary

Published
27 February 2017
Civilians reported killed
8–10
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

27 February 2017

Incident Code

RS1920

Location

اريحا, Ariha, Idlib, Syria
As many as 20 civilians were killed, and dozens more were wounded, in an airstrike on Ariha. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. Around half the sources blamed Russian warplanes, while the rest pointed to the Syrian regime. Some sources such as Idlib Media Centre blamed both parties for the raids. SMO…

Summary

Published
27 February 2017
Civilians reported killed
7–20
Civilians reported injured
12–30
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident