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

11 February 2017

Incident Code

RS1875

Location

الزراعة, Al Zira'a, Aleppo, Syria
At least one child was killed when a cluster bomb from a previous airstrike exploded in the village of Al Zira'a in southern Aleppo. It is unknown when the previous airstrike was that left the cluster bomb and who was responsible for the previous airstrike.

Summary

Published
11 February 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

11–12 February, 2017

Incident Code

RS1876

Location

بنش, Binnish, Idlib, Syria
At least one civilian was killed in alleged Russian airstrikes against the city of Binnish. The Violations Documentation Center identified Russian planes as responsible for the airstrikes while the other sources did not name a culprit. There were conflicting reports given on when the airstrike against Binnish occured. According to the Violations Documentation Center, the…

Summary

Published
11 February 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

11 February 2017

Incident Code

RS1878

Location

التوبة, Tawba, Hama, Syria
Up to two civilians were killed and at least 10 others were injured in alleged airstrikes against the village of Al-Tawba. While the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that there were at least 12 people killed or injured in the airstrikes, Omawi News reported that at the time there had been no recorded casualties.…

Summary

Published
11 February 2017
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
10
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

7 February 2017

Incident Codes

CS477 RS1873

Location

إدلب, Idlib, Idlib, Syria
A major airstrike on Idlib city killed up to 30 civilians and injured up to 300 more. Reports blamed both Russia and the US-led Coalition for the attack. The Coalition has expressly denied any involvement – though a unilateral US action remains possible. The attack – which reportedly involved both airstrikes and missiles – caused…

Summary

Published
7 February 2017
Civilians reported killed
5–30
Civilians reported injured
12–300
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

5 February 2017

Incident Code

RS1872

Location

تادف, Tadef, Aleppo, Syria
One civilian, Hasan al-Allawi al-Hamed, was reportedly killed in a Russian airstrike on Tadef, Aleppo - though there was only one known source on this event. The Violations Documentation Center in Syria listed the death as "warplane shelling" from "Russian troops".

Summary

Published
5 February 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

4 February 2017

Incident Code

RS1871

Location

عقيربات, Akeirbat, Hama, Syria
Several civilians were injured in airstrike on Akeirbat, Hama, according to local media. Only two known sources reported on the attack and only one identified a belligerent, it is therefore unclear if Russia were responsible for the raid. Step News Agency reported that "Russian planes carried out raids on Akeirbat in eastern Hama which led to the…

Summary

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