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

16 February 2017

Incident Code

RS1887

Location

قرية الكفير,, al Kfir village, Idlib, Syria
Idlib Media Centre reported that there were "two wounded following Russian occupation raids on al Kfir village near Jisr al Shoughour in the Idlib countryside." According to Shaban Abukhaled, "Russian warplanes launched missile attacks on rural villages and towns of Jisir Al Shoghour in idlib countryside" - but the source made no mention of civilian harm.

Summary

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

Incident Date

16 February 2017

Incident Code

RS1888

Location

النقير والركايا, An IDP camp, Idlib, Syria
According to Shaam News Network, "Russian warplanes used rockets loaded with cluster bombs on the towns of al Nakir and al Rakaya, targeting a camp of IDPs in the area and leaving a number of wounded among the IDPs amidst continuous shelling of the area for the last two days." Mozmjr0 and Alikrarkaralso blamed Russia…

Summary

Published
16 February 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
IDP or Refugee Camp, Residential
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

15 February 2017

Incident Code

RS1885

Location

اليادودة, Al Yadouda town, Daraa, Syria
An unspecified number of civilians were wounded in up to six alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Yadouda town, according to local media. Sources showed widespread destruction in the town and reported that a hospital had been taken out of service as a result of the raids, Ara news reported: "Intensive air strikes resulted in the injury…

Summary

Published
15 February 2017
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

15–16 February, 2017

Incident Code

RS1886

Location

صيدا, Saida, Daraa, Syria
One named child died and dozens more civilians were wounded in alleged Russia or Assad regime airstrike on Saida, according to sources on the ground. Omar Balkhi5  reported that a hospital in the town had been put out of service and that "dozens" of civilians had been wounded in a Russian strike. According to Aljazeera, "a…

Summary

Published
15 February 2017
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

15 February 2017

Incident Code

RS1884

Location

رسم نياص, Rasim Nayyas village, south of Abu adh Dhuhur, Idlib, Syria
Two civilians including a child died and up to 15 more were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on a petrol station/oil refinery in Rasim Nayyas village, local media reported. All4Syria reported: "two civilians were killed and 15 others injured Wednesday in a Russian air strike on the village of Rasim Nayas in the eastern suburb…

Summary

Published
15 February 2017
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
4–15
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

15 February 2017

Incident Code

RS1883

Location

سجن غرز, Gharaz prison, Daraa, Syria
One civilian died and an unspecified number more were wounded in an alleged Russia airstrike on Gharaz prison, according to local media. Syria News Desk reported: "A number of civilians are wounded after Russian warplanes struck the building of Gharaz prison east of Daraa which is taken by the opposition’s court of justice as a head…

Summary

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