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

23–24 November, 2017

Incident Code

RS2752

Location

ابوحردوب, Abou Hardoub, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Three civilians were killed and others were injured in air and artillery strikes on Abou Hardoub, local media reported. Sources attributed the blame to both Russia and the Syrian regime. Local media reported that house of Oweid Al Dulan struck. He was killed as well as two members of his family There are no other…

Summary

Published
23 November 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

22 November 2017

Incident Code

RS2751

Location

صحيان, Sahiyan, Idlib, Syria
In this single-source event, Smart News Agency, reported that three civilians were left slightly wounded as an aircraft, "likely to be Russian", carried out air raids on the highway in the town of Sihan, south of Idlib. The strikes reportedly struck a highway restaurant. Currently, there are no further details available.

Summary

Published
22 November 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

20 November 2017

Incident Code

RS2748

Location

زملكازملكا, Zamalka, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, Syria
Possible Russian airstrikes hit Zamalka, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, local media reported, resulting in three civilian injuries. Several media reported that Zamalka was subject to aerial shelling. According to @Hamza42129319, the town was hit by four raids. However, only Smart News Agency reported that the strikes had caused civilian harm: "Three wounded [civilians] by warplanes likely to…

Summary

Published
20 November 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

20 November 2017

Incident Code

RS2749

Location

السوسة السوسة, al Soussa, Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria
The Step News Agency reported that "many civilians were wounded to varying degrees" by alleged Russian strikes on al Soussa. According to Euphrates Post on November 20th, there was "Intense displacement of people in the towns of al-Baghouz, al-Safafna, al-Marashda and al-Soussa in the Albukamal countryside due to the continuous aerial and artillery shelling around…

Summary

Published
20 November 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
5–10
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

20 November 2017

Incident Codes

CS1679 IRS001 RS2747

Location

القريا, Al Quoriya, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Two civilians were reportedly killed by a drone strike in al Qouriya, local media said, though neither source has said who was responsible. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that “two men were killed and another was wounded after being targeted by a drone in the al-Quriyah area”. Sharqiya Voice provided some more detail,…

Summary

Published
20 November 2017
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition, Iranian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

20 November 2017

Incident Code

RS2750

Location

القورية, Qouriya, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Two civilians, a father and son, were killed and at least another two were wounded as an unidentified drone struck in Qouriya, Deir Ezzor, local sources reported. In the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights general reporting from the Euphrates River, the media reported that "two men were killed and another were wounded after being targeted…

Summary

Published
20 November 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported killed
2–3
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident