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

2 December 2017

Incident Code

RS2776

Location

الشيخ عقيل, Sheikh Akeel, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
A single source reported that alleged Russian warplanes "launched more than five air raids of various types of ammunition on the village of Sheikh Akeel, leaving a number of injured and a large destruction in the residential buildings". There are no other details at this time.

Summary

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

Incident Date

1 December 2017

Incident Code

RS2774

Location

الطواطحة, Tawatha, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between five and seven civilians were killed on airstrikes which struck Tawatha water crossing, according to local media. Almost all sources blamed Russian warplanes for the airstrikes, with others not attributing blame to a belligerent, but reporting on "warplanes" having been sighted. Media reported that "two SU-25 fighters" were sighted in the vicinity. Marsad Al…

Summary

Published
1 December 2017
Civilians reported killed
5–7
Civilians reported injured
14
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

1 December 2017

Incident Code

RS2775

Location

الحسرات, Hasrat, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A civilian man was killed and three others were wounded in air and artillery strikes in Hasrat, according to local media. Sources were conflicted as to who was responsible for the strikes, with some attributing blame to Russia, while one source blamed the Syrian regime. Some sources did not identify the culprit. The brother of…

Summary

Published
1 December 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

1 December 2017

Incident Code

RS2772

Location

السيال, Sayyala, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Two civilians were injured due to the bombing of Sayyala, Aleppo .Sources all blamed Russian warplanes for the raids. Baladi News reported that "several Russian planes were circling the villages of Sayala, Burj Sabna, Muraba’ Saloum and Muraba’ Bisha Square in the southern suburb of Aleppo, wounding a number of civilians, including critical cases." Local…

Summary

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

Incident Date

1 December 2017

Incident Code

RS2773

Location

الجلاء, Jala'a, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between one and two civilians were killed, including a 12-year-old girl, due to "barbaric shelling" in the town of Jala'a, local media reported. Only one source blamed Russia, while the others blamed "unknown" warplanes. While there were no reports of any wounded civilians, local media did report the destruction of several houses and a medical…

Summary

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

Incident Date

30 November 2017

Incident Codes

CS1687 RS2771

Location

درنج, Daranj, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Up to five civilians died, and 14 were wounded in an airstrike on Daranj, local media said, though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of the US-led Coalition or Russia. In January 2019 the Coalition accepted responsibility for the event, noting: "Coalition aircraft engaged ISIS fighters operating a mortar position firing…

Summary

Published
30 November 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
4–5
Civilians reported injured
14
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident