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

21 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1499

Location

Tarei, Idlib, Syria
In what looks to have been a Syrian regime action, an elderly man and his son were reported killed by an airstrike in Tarei village, Idlib. LCCSY initially appeared to blame Russia, but in a later post attributed the deaths to the Syrian regime. Most other sources also pointed to the regime. According to the…

Summary

Published
21 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

20 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1492

Location

معرشمارين, Ma'ar Shmareen, Idlib, Syria
Up to seven people from the same family including between two and five children and up to two died and more were wounded in an airstrike on Ma’ar Shmareen village, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime. The lowest death…

Summary

Published
20 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
2–7
Civilians reported injured
2–4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

20 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1493

Location

Kafr Nabil, Idlib, Syria
Two civilian males died and at least two more were wounded – including members of the White Helmets – in an airstrike on Kafr Nabil, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime. @syriapost1 was among several sources pointing to Russia…

Summary

Published
20 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2–3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

20 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1494

Location

بابولين, Babouleen, Idlib, Syria
Between two and nine civilians died and an unspecified number more were wounded in an airstrike on Babouleen, according to local media. Most sources reported that the warplane struck a civilian car with heavy machine guns. The majority of sources pointed towards the Syrian regime, though Russian actions were also reported, meaning that its involvement…

Summary

Published
20 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
2–9
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

20 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1495

Location

Ma'arzita, Idlib, Syria
One or two civilians including a woman and her child died and an unspecified number more were wounded in an airstrike on Ma’arzita, according to sources on the ground – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. Intensive strikes were reported in the area, with sources reporting that both…

Summary

Published
20 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

20 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1496

Location

Al Jidar, Idlib, Syria
One civilian died and several more were wounded in an airstrike on Al Jidar, local media reported. Most sources blamed Russia, though one indicated that the regime had also carried out raids on Idlib on this day. Russia: @syriahadath reported one civilian fatality as the result of Russia shelling. The report mentioned the use of…

Summary

Published
20 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident