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

14 November 2017

Incident Code

RS2733

Location

العوينة, Al-A'waina, Idlib, Syria
Five children were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on a gathering of IDP tents in al-A'waina, Syria, on November 14, 2017 local media reported. Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed Russia for the raids. Initially Syrian Network for Human Rights reported the death of one child, however this rose to five later on. Tents were…

Summary

Published
14 November 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Residential, IDP or Refugee Camp
Civilians reported killed
5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

14 November 2017

Incident Code

RS2734

Location

صبيخان, Sabikhan, Deir Ezzor, Syria
At least two civilians were killed and others were injured, following airstrikes on Sabikhan, according to local media. Both Russia and the Syrian regime were responsible, according to sources. Media suggested that a river crossing was targeted by the raids. "The shelling killed a civilian and injured others, mostly women and children, amid acute shortage…

Summary

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

Incident Date

14 November 2017

Incident Code

RS2735

Location

مخيم سوح الرفاعي,, Souh al-Rifa’i camp, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Twelve civilians were killed and others were wounded in airstrikes on Souh al-Rifa’i camp for IDPs. Sources blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime for the raids. Initially reportage claimed that five children had been killed, however this number rose to 12 with an additional six children and a woman having been reported killed. There…

Summary

Published
14 November 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
IDP or Refugee Camp
Civilians reported killed
12
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

13 November 2017

Incident Code

RS2730

Location

الاتارب, Atareb, Idlib, Syria
In a mass civilian casualty event, as many as 82 civilians were killed, and 340 more were wounded, when six surface rockets and three missiles struck a popular market in Atareb. Sources blamed both the Syrian regime and Russia for these raids. According to sources, 100 shops as well as a police station were destroyed.…

Summary

Published
13 November 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
9–82
Civilians reported injured
60–340
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

13 November 2017

Incident Codes

CS1673a RS2731

Location

جليب غانم, Jleib Ghanem area, Al Qouriya desert, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Five civilians including two children and a woman were killed and between seven and nine more were wounded in an alleged US Coalition or Russian airstrike on a camp for displaced persons in the Jleib Ghanem area, Al Qouriya desert, according to local media. Most sources blamed Russia, though @basher_811 pointed to the Coalition,, reporting: …

Summary

Published
13 November 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
IDP or Refugee Camp
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
7–9
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

12 November 2017

Incident Code

RS2728

Location

السوسة, Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local sources reported that as many as 23 civilians were killed in airstrikes which struck a river crossing in Soussa. Sources were conflicted as to who was culpable for the strikes, with some blaming Russia and others blaming the Syrian regime. Ghassan Alhaiawi put the numbers killed as high as 23. The named victims were…

Summary

Published
12 November 2017
Civilians reported killed
5–23
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident