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

24 February 2017

Incident Code

RS1912

Location

الحميرات, Al-Hmeirat, Hama, Syria
Sources reported that eight people from one family were killed and dozens more were wounded when an alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime raid struck their home in Al-Hmeirat. Most sources blamed Russia, though some also pointed to the Syrian regime. Members of the Civil Defence spent time pulling bodies and injured civilians out of the rubble.…

Summary

Published
24 February 2017
Civilians reported killed
8–9
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

23 February 2017

Incident Code

RS1910

Location

جبل البلعاس, Al-Bila'as mountain, Hama, Syria
A single source reported the death of one civilian and the injury of others as a result of alleged Russian airstrike on Al-Bila'as mountain. It was reported that the aerial bombardment was concentrated on the area around al Bila’as Mountains near Akeirbat in Hama, central Syria. Allegedly Russian warplanes struck a camp for displaced people…

Summary

Published
23 February 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2–4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

23 February 2017

Incident Code

RS1911

Location

جسر الشغور, Jisir Al-Shoghour, Idlib, Syria
As many as four civilians were killed - and seven others were wounded - in an airstrike which struck residential homes and Walid Shaaban School in Jisir Al-Shoghour, according to local media. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame with some blaming Russia and the others pointing to the Syrian regime. According to multiple…

Summary

Published
23 February 2017
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
1–4
Civilians reported injured
2–7
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

23 February 2017

Incident Code

RS1909

Location

الناجية, Al-Najia, Idlib, Syria
Up to four civilians were killed - and as many as five were injured - in alleged airstrikes which struck residential homes in Al-Najia. All sources blamed Russia, apart from one source which blamed the Syrian regime. One source reported that there were three Russian raids which caused huge material damage to residential homes and roads.…

Summary

Published
23 February 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–4
Civilians reported injured
5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

22 February 2017

Incident Code

RS1908

Location

الجابرية, Al-Jabriya, Hama, Syria
Four or five civilians died and four or five more were wounded in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on the village of Al-Jabriya in Hama, according to sources on the ground. Fourteen militants from the Islamic Movement of Ahrar al-Sham were also claimed killed. AMC reported that "four paramedics were killed and another…

Summary

Published
22 February 2017
Civilians reported killed
4–5
Civilians reported injured
4–5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

21 February 2017

Incident Code

RS1906

Location

معرة مصرين, Maarat Misrin, Idlib, Syria
As many as six civilians were killed - and dozens more were wounded - in an alleged Russian airstrike on Maarat Misrin, local media reported. Most sources blamed Russia for the raids, however some others did not attribute blame while others pointed to the Syrian regime. According to reports, three rockets - allegedly vacuum missiles -…

Summary

Published
21 February 2017
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
5–6
Civilians reported injured
4–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident