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

13 January 2017

Incident Code

RS1831

Location

جبل الاربعين, Jabal Al-Arba'een, Idlib, Syria
A leader of the Islamic Party of Turkmenistan (jihadist group) was killed following an alleged Russian raid on a residential building he was occupying. Four of his children and three women were also reportedly killed in the raid. Additionally, in what became a double raid, 20 members of the civil defence were injured in a second raid whilst…

Summary

Published
13 January 2017
Civilians reported killed
2–7
Civilians reported injured
20
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12 January 2017

Incident Code

RS1826

Location

بابكة, Babka, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Up to 10 civilians were killed, including eight from one family, and as many as 24 or more were wounded, following an alleged airstrike on Babka, Aleppo. Five children and three women were reportedly killed in the strike. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. Many attributed blame to Russian warplanes, while others blamed…

Summary

Published
12 January 2017
Civilians reported killed
6–10
Civilians reported injured
10–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12 January 2017

Incident Codes

CS440 RS1824

Location

جبل الاربعين, Al Arbaeen Mountains, Idlib, Syria
As many as 20 civilians were killed, and others were wounded, according to reports, following an alleged Russian and or Coalition airstrike on a militant-occupied building in the Al-Arba'een Mountains. Shaam News reported that seven civilians died including “four children and three women in addition in addition to others wounded.” Step News blamed the US-led…

Summary

Published
12 January 2017
Civilians reported killed
4–20
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

12 January 2017

Incident Codes

CS442 RS1825

Location

شارع تل أبيض, Tal abyad Street, Ar Raqqa, Raqqa, Syria
Two civilians were killed - including a girl and a man - and others were wounded, following an airstrike on a bakery and a falafel restaurant in Raqqa, according to local sources. Sources were conflicted regarding who was to blame, some blaming the US led Coalition, and others blaming Russian warplanes. The Coalition later denied…

Summary

Published
12 January 2017
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

12 January 2017

Incident Code

RS1827

Location

اريحا, Ariha, Idlib, Syria
Between seven and 12 civilians died - including four children and three women - following an airstrike which struck a five story building in Ariha, Idlib. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame for the raid, with some blaming Russia and others blaming the Syrian regime.  No specific numbers of civilians were reported…

Summary

Published
12 January 2017
Civilians reported killed
7–12
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12 January 2017

Incident Code

RS1823

Location

بنش, Binnish, Idlib, Syria
As many as four civilians were killed - including a child -  and 28 more were wounded, following an alleged airstrike on Binnish, which struck a market, local media reported. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, some blaming the Syrian regime, and other blaming Russia. Due to the extent of damage in the…

Summary

Published
12 January 2017
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Civilians reported injured
2–28
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident