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 Date Publication Date

Incident Date

18 January 2017

Incident Code

RS1842

Location

إدلب., Idlib city, Idlib, Syria
Three civilians were injured - and several others possibly killed - in an alleged Russian airstrike on a bus garage in Idlib, according to sources on the ground. @nabdsyria1 reported that "Russian raids targeted the Bulman Garage and the Central Bank in Idlib". According to Idlib Media Centre, "three [civilians] were wounded when Russian occupation planes…

Summary

Published
18 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
0–2
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0418

Location

تدمر, Palmyra, Homs, Syria
A single source, Palmyra Media Centre, reported; "Russian planes bombed the outskirts of Palmyra in the al Dawa and Sha’er and Huweissass areas. Planes also bombed an area of a Bedouins’ gathering near Palmyra which led to the deaths of two people." No further details are currently available.

Summary

Published
18 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0414

Location

وادي العرايس, Wadi Al A’rayess, Homs, Syria
The Shaam News Network published two videos depicting destruction in the Al Kalassi neighbourhood of Aleppo. The first showed a woman after she became homeless when “the aggressors destroyed her home“; the second depicted wounded civilians “following the strike on the area of Wadi Al A’rayess.” There are currently no further details  on the alleged strike or who was responsible for it.…

Summary

Published
17 January 2016
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0415

Location

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria
A single source, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, reported that “warplanes believed to be Russian” bombed areas in Al Bab city in the northern countryside of Aleppo. The Observatory said the alleged attack resulted in injuries and casualties, including women and children, but did not provide numbers. However, Halab Today TV and North Media Institute said…

Summary

Published
17 January 2016
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0416

Location

معردبسة, Ma’ardabssa, Idlib, Syria
One woman was killed and several other civilians injured following an alleged Russian raid on the town of Ma’ardabssa, according to the Shaam News Network. Fresh Syria reported that “a woman was killed  in the village of Ma’ardebsah Idlib, a result of the Russian aviation targeting the village on Sunday afternoon with three air raids. The raids…

Summary

Published
17 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 January 2016

Incident Code

RS0413

Location

دير جمال, Dayr al Jamil, Aleppo, Syria
One child died in an alleged Russian airstrikes on Dayr Jamal, according to local sources. One female child,died when “suspected  Russian warplanes” fired missiles on the town of Dayr Jamal on January 17th, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights. A third source, Shahed-ayan, also named her as killed as a result of Russian strikes.  

Summary

Published
17 January 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident