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

5 December 2017

Incident Codes

CS1691 RS2779

Location

الجردي, Al Jarthi, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Up to 24 civilians died in an airstrike on Al Jarthi town, local media reported – though it was unclear whether the Coalition, Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible. The majority of sources, however, attributed the event to Moscow. According to Al Haal, “Abu Hassan al-Khalifa (a resident of the town) told al-Hal, that…

Summary

Published
5 December 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
23–24
Civilians reported injured
10–30
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

5 December 2017

Incident Code

RS2780

Location

هجين, Hajeen, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One civilian was killed in an airstrike which hit a river crossing in Hajeen, local sources said. There were no reports of any wounded civilians. Sources mostly blamed Russia for the strikes, however some did not attribute blame. On December 5th, Euphrates Post reported that the strikes occurred two days ago, however all others sources…

Summary

Published
5 December 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

5 December 2017

Incident Code

RS2781

Location

البقعان, Al Baqan, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One civilian, a named adult male, was reportedly killed in airstrikes which hit the river crossing in Al-Baqan. Sources either blamed Russia for the strikes or did not attribute blame to a belligerent. The shelling did not injury any civilians, according to local media. Smart News Agency reported that the strikes were "likely to be…

Summary

Published
5 December 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

5 December 2017

Incident Code

RS2782

Location

الشعفةالشامية, al Shamiya crossing in Al-Sha'fa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Six civilians were reportedly killed, and others were "seriously" wounded, in air and artillery strikes on the Al-Sha'fa river crossing in Al-Shamiya. Local media was conflicted as to who was responsible for the strikes, some blaming Russia, while others blamed the Syrian regime. Local media described the incident as a massacre. Euphrates initially reported that…

Summary

Published
5 December 2017
Civilians reported killed
6
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

4 December 2017

Incident Code

RS2778

Location

السماقة, Samaqa, Hama, Syria
Three civilians were killed - including one woman - and seven others were wounded in air and artillery strikes which struck Samaqa, sources on the ground reported. Local media blamed both Russian warplanes and Syrian regime planes for the strikes. According to 'Al Latamna Youth gathering', farm shops or an agricultural factory was hit in…

Summary

Published
4 December 2017
Infrastructure
Agriculture
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
7
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

3 December 2017

Incident Code

RS2777

Location

السميرية, Al-Samiriya, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
A teacher and several students were injured in airstrikes that shelled al-Samiriya village school in Aleppo, according to local media. All sources either blamed Russian warplanes for the raids or did not attribute any blame to a belligerent. The rockets and missiles were launched in the vicinity of the school complex; however, only partial damage…

Summary

Published
3 December 2017
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported injured
1–3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident