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

19 November 2017

Incident Code

RS2746

Location

مديرا, Madyara village, Eastern Ghouta, Damascus, Syria
Up to seven civilians, including four children and one woman, were killed while as many as dozens were wounded, local media reported, following Russian or Assad-waged airstrikes in Madyara village, aastern Ghouta, Damascus. While the death toll spanned from five to seven, most reported six civilian fatalities. For example, The Syrian Network for Human Rights…

Summary

Published
19 November 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
5–7
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

18–28 November, 2017

Incident Code

RS2744

Location

الباغوز, Baghouz, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A child died from his wounds following a shrapnel injury from a Russian air and artillery strike, local media reported. Sources blamed both Russian and Syrian regime raids. It is unclear which date the original strike occurred. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

Published
18 November 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

18 November 2017

Incident Code

RS2745

Location

هجين, Hajeen, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A single source reported that seven civilians, including two children, were killed in an airstrike undertaken by an "unknown" belligerent in Hajeen, Deir Ezzor, on November 18th. Smart News reported that "seven civilians, including two children, were killed and 20 others were wounded in an "unknown" aerial bombardment of a camp for displaced people in…

Summary

Published
18 November 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
7
Civilians reported injured
20
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 November 2017

Incident Code

RS2741

Location

River crossing between al Duweir and Graneej, Deir Ezzor, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Euphrates post reported:  "Military aircraft launched several air raids today [Nov 17th] targeting the crossing of the town of Al-Dweir River - the town of Graneej - which led to the destruction of all cars and river vessels and the wounding of a number of civilians". Other sources said the regime carried out strikes, while…

Summary

Published
17 November 2017
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 November 2017

Incident Code

RS2742

Location

حرستا, Harasta, Damascus, Syria
As many as seven civilians were killed and dozens more were wounded in air and artillery strikes on Harasta, according to local media. Sources blamed both Russian warplanes and Syrian regime artillery shelling for the strikes. One source reported that "missile targeted residential neighbourhoods in the city of Harasta". Another added that "missiles carrying cluster…

Summary

Published
17 November 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
3–7
Civilians reported injured
5–25
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 November 2017

Incident Code

RS2743

Location

عربين, Arbeen, Damascus, Syria
Between three and four civilians were killed, and as many as 11 were wounded in air and artillery strikes on the popular market and residential homes in Arbeen. Sources blamaed both Russia and the Syrian regime for the raids. According to local sources, there were between seven and 13 raids on the vicinity which caused…

Summary

Published
17 November 2017
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Civilians reported injured
11
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident