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

25 December 2017

Incident Code

RS2812

Location

السميرية, Al-Samiria, Aleppo, Syria
Local media reported that alleged Russian warplanes carried out multiple airstrikes in the town of Al-Samiria, Aleppo, wounding several civilians. While the reports were sparse, all sources, however, identified Russia as the culprit. However, only the Step News Agency made mention of civilian harm.

Summary

Published
25 December 2017
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

25 December 2017

Incident Codes

CS1702 RS2811

Location

غرانيج, Granij, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Ten named civilians died and “a large number more” were injured in an alleged airstrike on Granij, according to local media. One sources blamed Russia, while the rest attributed blame to the US-led Coalition. According to Deir Ezzor 24, six non-combatants died when the Coalition “attacked the house of Elias Khader Al-Abdullah in the Al-Samra…

Summary

Published
25 December 2017
Civilians reported killed
8–10
Civilians reported injured
10
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

24 December 2017

Incident Code

RS2810

Location

ابومحالة, Abu Mahala village in Al Hamra district, Hama, Syria
Several civilians were injured by intense aerial shelling of Abu Mahala, Hama, local media reported. All sources blamed Russia. While no reports mentioned the exact number of injured, sources merely reported that a number of civilians were left wounded. The strikes were reportedly part of a larger shelling that day. Masar Press News reported "more…

Summary

Published
24 December 2017
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

24 December 2017

Incident Code

RS2809

Location

شنان, Shanan, Raqqa, Syria
Three children were killed by the remnants of an alleged Russian cluster bomb in the town of Shanan, eastern Raqqa, local media reported. Among the sources, Raqqa Is Being Slaughtered Silently reported that the three children were killed due a "cluster bomb explosion left behind by the Russian shelling of the town of Shanan." It…

Summary

Published
24 December 2017
Civilians reported killed
3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

22 December 2017

Incident Code

RS2808

Location

الحمراء, Al-Hamraa, Hama, Syria
Eight civilians, including children and women, were reportedly injured as warplanes, possible belonging to Russia, carried out airstrikes in Al-Hamraa, Hama, local media reported. While the sources agreed that the strikes, that took place during the night, wounded up to eight civilians, they were not clear in terms of culpability. Step News Agency was the…

Summary

Published
22 December 2017
Civilians reported injured
8
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

20 December 2017

Incident Code

RS2806

Location

الجنينة, Al-Janeneh, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Three civilians, including a child and a woman, were seriously injured from the remnants of an alleged Russian cluster bomb that was dropped the previous day, October 19th, in the village of Al-Jeneneh, Deir Ezzor, local media reported. Several sources added that the incident led to the amputation of the child's foot. DMUO, for instance,…

Summary

Published
20 December 2017
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident