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 January 2017

Incident Code

RS1819

Location

مسكنة, Maskanah, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
A young man was killed when alleged Russian shelling struck "militants" in a sugar factory and a farm in Maskanah, Aleppo, local media reported. All sources blamed Russian warplanes for the raids. There were no reports of wounded civilians.  According to @fathi_1999, three raids struck the town. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

Published
11 January 2017
Infrastructure
Agriculture (Factory)
Civilians reported killed
0–1
Military actors reported killed
0–1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

11 January 2017

Incident Codes

CS439 RS1820

Location

سراقب, Saraqib, Idlib, Syria
Between 10 and 25 fighters of the militant group Fatah al Sham were killed - as well as a civilian policeman - and as many as six other people were injured, following an alleged airstrike in Saraqib. It is not clear whether or not the injured were civilians or members of Fatah al Sham. Sources are conflicted as…

Summary

Published
11 January 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
0–6
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

11 January 2017

Incident Codes

CS439a RS1821

Location

تفتناز, Taftanaz, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Up to four civilians were killed in alleged Russian, Syrian regime, and or US led Coalition airstrikes on Taftanaz. Sources are conflicted as to who was to blame. Most sources blame Russia and the Syrian regime, however there were also two allegations against the Coalition.  As many as four civilians were also wounded - according to…

Summary

Published
11 January 2017
Civilians reported killed
0–4
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

11 January 2017

Incident Code

RS1822

Location

بابيص, Babis, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
An unidentified man was killed following an alleged Russian airstrike on Babis, Aleppo, local media reported. According to one source, a woman was wounded, and most other sources reported several were wounded. The majority of sources didn't  attribute blame, however several pointed to Russian warplanes. Sources reported the alleged use of rockets and vacuum missiles. There…

Summary

Published
11 January 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

11 January 2017

Incident Code

RS1818

Location

بلدة حور, Hor, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
One unidentified civilian was killed - and others were wounded - in an alleged Russian airstrike on Hor, Aleppo, local media reported. All sources attributed the blame to Russian warplanes. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

Published
11 January 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

10 January 2017

Incident Code

RS1817

Location

الشخ علي, Al Sheikh Ali, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Between two and seven civilians were wounded following an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Sheikh Ali, Aleppo. Most sources blamed Russia for the raids, with some attributing no blame. It was reported that despite their being no deaths, two of the victims were seriously injured, and were transferred to hospitals in Turkey. According to Syria News…

Summary

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