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

6 November 2017

Incident Code

RS2691

Location

سراقب, Saraqeb, Idlib, Syria
Local media reported that "a civilian was wounded by a bombardment of warplanes likely to be Russian, targeting the vicinity of the radio tower on the western outskirts of Saraqib." High explosive Russian rockets were allegedly used in the raid. There were no reports of civilian deaths and no other details at this time.

Summary

Published
6 November 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

6 November 2017

Incident Code

RS2692

Location

البويطة, Buweita, Aleppo , Aleppo, Syria
A man and a child were killed in airstrikes on village of Al-Bawiyyatah in the town of Tal Al-Daman. Sources all attributed the blame to Moscow. Sources are conflicted as to whether the child was male or female - VDC amongst others reporting the child was female - while others reported the child was male.…

Summary

Published
6 November 2017
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
10
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

6 November 2017

Incident Code

RS2693

Location

تل الضمان, Tal Al-Daman, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
In a similar fashion, to the previous raid in Buweita (RS2691) "a civilian and a woman were killed by an air bombardment on the town of Tel Al-Daman", however this time Tal Al-Daman School was damaged. Sources blamed bot the Syrian regime and Russia for these raids. Smart News Agency was the only source to…

Summary

Published
6 November 2017
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

6 November 2017

Incident Code

RS2697

Location

رسم الحمام, Rasim Al-Hamam, Hama, Syria
A girl was killed and others were injured in airstrikes on Rasim Al-Hamam. Sources all blamed Russia. RFS Media Office reported that "Russian warplanes and the air force launched a series of intensive air raids on the eastern villages of Hama, targeting the villages of "Al-Balil, Um Treika, Al-Harjan, Jab Al-Safa, Tal Al-Halawa, Qasr bin…

Summary

Published
6 November 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

6 November 2017

Incident Code

RS2698

Location

الهري, Harri, Deir Ezzor, Syria
As many as eight civilians were reportedly killed, and 13 others were wounded, in airstrikes on Harri. Sources all blamed Russia for the strikes. Al Hall reported that "Russian warplanes targeted civilian houses in Al-Harri town with more than six raids, killing eight civilians, including women and children, injuring more than 13 others and causing…

Summary

Published
6 November 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
8
Civilians reported injured
13
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

6 November 2017

Incident Code

RS2694

Location

البقعان, Al-Baq'an, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local sources reported that three civilians were killed, and seven others were wounded, in airstrikes which struck the river crossing in Al-Baq'an. Sources either named Russia as culpable, or reported "unknown warplanes" were to blame. According to Al Hall, Russian shelling "targeted the river crossing in the village of Baqan, killing three civilians and wounding…

Summary

Published
6 November 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–3
Civilians reported injured
7
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident