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

17 February 2017

Incident Code

RS1894

Location

أم المياذن, Um Almayathen, Daraa, Syria
Between five and eight civilians (five of whom were named) died and as many as dozens more wounded in an airstrike on Um Almayathen, according to local media - though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. Rasd only reported wounded civilians, putting the number of…

Summary

Published
17 February 2017
Civilians reported killed
5–8
Civilians reported injured
3–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 February 2017

Incident Code

RS1890

Location

جسر الشغور, Jisir Al-Shoghour, Idlib, Syria
Up to two civilians were reportedly wounded during an alleged Russian airstrike on Jisr Al-Shoghour, according to local media. There were limited known sources for this event and it should be noted that only one source attributed responsibility to Russia. Both AMC Aleppo and RFS North tweeted that one woman had been injured in an…

Summary

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

Incident Date

17 February 2017

Incident Code

RS1891

Location

المستريحة, Al-Mstareha, Aleppo, Syria
One family - two male children and their parents - were reportedly killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on ISIS-controlled Al-Mstareha, according to local media. Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that the family died in "suspected Russian warplane missiles fired on Al Mstareha village".  The only other known source to report on the event also attributed…

Summary

Published
17 February 2017
Civilians reported killed
4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 February 2017

Incident Code

RS1892

Location

الجفرة, Al-Jafra, Aleppo, Syria
A number of civilians were reportedly killed in an airstrike on the ISIS-controlled village, al Jafra, Aleppo, according to local media sources. The only source for this incident, Local Coordination Committee of Syria, reported: "13 martyrs in Aleppo most of them killed in the Turkish raids on al bab and Russian raids on al Jafra".…

Summary

Published
17 February 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–13
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 February 2017

Incident Code

RS1889

Location

بصرى الشام, Basra al Sham, Daraa, Syria
Local media reported the death of one adult male civilian (named below) in an airstrike on Basra al Sham. Most sources attributed the strike to Russia - and published images showing widespread destruction in the town. Civilian homes and a school were among the buildings reportedly damaged. However Aljazeera and several other sources reported that the…

Summary

Published
17 February 2017
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 February 2017

Incident Code

RS1893

Location

القسطل, Al-Kastal, Hama, Syria
A woman and a child were reportedly wounded during an airstrike on Al-Kastal, Hama, according to one local media source. Smart News reported that the aerial bombardment was "likely to be Russian". One local source told the news agency that "raids likely to be Russian, on the village of Al Qastal - which is under the…

Summary

Published
17 February 2017
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident