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

21 October 2017

Incident Code

RS2652

Location

جب السكر, Jib Al-Sukkar, Hama, Syria
Two civilians were killed and as many as two others were injured - including a mother and sister - following airstrikes on Jib Al-Sukkar, lovcal media reported. All Sources blamed Russian warplanes for the raids. Thamer died and his "mother Faheeda Al-Ali and his sister" were also injured following the "Russian bombardment of the village…

Summary

Published
21 October 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

20 October 2017

Incident Code

RS2648

Location

مويلح شمالية, Muweleh Shimaliya, Hama, Syria
An entire family of four were killed when an airstrike hit their home in the night in Muweleh Shimaliya, local media said. Sources all blamed Russian warplanes for the airstrikes. It is unclear whether this strike occurred on the 19th or 20th of October. Images suggest it occurred during the night. Other civilians were reportedly…

Summary

Published
19 October 2017
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

20 October 2017

Incident Code

RS2649

Location

الشحيل, Al-Shaheel, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Four civilians including two children died following air and artillery strikes on Al-Shaheel, according to local media. Most sources blamed Russian warplanes for the strikes which "targeted residential homes", however some did not attribute blame. Three of the civilians who died were a mother and her two children. An elderly man was also later reported…

Summary

Published
20 October 2017
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

19 October 2017

Incident Code

RS2646

Location

الربضة, Rabda, Hama, Syria
A man was killed and an unspecified number of civilians were wounded in an airstrike on Rabda, local media reported. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, most attributing blame to Russia, however the Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed the "Russian-Syrian alliance". The reports remained unspecific regarding the number of wounded civilians.…

Summary

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

Incident Date

19 October 2017

Incident Code

RS2647

Location

الباغوز, Al-Baghouz, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In what some sources referred to as "a massacre", more than 36 civilians were reportedly killed and dozens more injured when an airstrike struck a river crossing at Al-Baghouz. Most sources blamed Russian warplanes however some either did not attribute blame or blamed "unidentified warplanes". As many as six families were identified by local media.…

Summary

Published
19 October 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
15–36
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 October 2017

Incident Codes

CS1645a RS2645

Location

الغبرة, Al-Ghabra, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Airstrikes struck a residential neighbourhood and popular market in Al-Ghabra - according to local media. As many as four civilians were killed and others were injured. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame for the airstrikes, some attributing blame to Russian warplanes while others blamed the Syrian regime.  Some sources attributed blame to…

Summary

Published
17 October 2017
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident