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

24 July 2017

Incident Codes

CS1259 RS2359

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian male was killed in an airstrike on Raqqa according to local media – though reports were conflicted as to whether the US-led Coalition or Russia were to blame. Ahmad Shibli, Hasaka Rasd and @alhasakaalhadth blamed the Coalition for the victims death. However, according to Baladi, he was killed in a Russia strike. This…

Summary

Published
24 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

24 July 2017

Incident Codes

CS1262 RS2361

Location

الميادين شارع الاربعين, Al Mayadin, Al-Arba’eeb street, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Five or six civilians died in airstrikes on Al-Arba’eeb street in Al Mayadin, local media said – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of the US-led Coalition, of Russia or the Syrian regime. Step News Agency, Almayadeen, Syrianpc and Radioalkul were among the sources that pointed towards the Coalition. Almayadeen…

Summary

Published
24 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
5–6
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

24 July 2017

Incident Code

RS2362

Location

الغانم العلي, Al-Ghanem Al-Ali, Raqqa, Syria
Akhbaralaan reported that "Russian aircraft also destroyed the building of the consumer institution in the town of Al-Ghanim Al-Ali". According to the Step News Agency, "intensive Russian raids targeted the village of Ghanem al-'Ali in the eastern suburb of Raqqa this morning [July 24th], killing six people and injuring others."

Summary

Published
24 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
6
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

24 July 2017

Incident Code

RS2364

Location

معدان, Ma’dan, Raqqa, Syria
At least two named civilians and as many as dozens more died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Ma’dan, according to sources on the ground. Reports said that two families were among those killed, adding that dozens more civilians were wounded in the attack which reportedly struck camps for displaced persons in Ma'dan. Sources named multiple…

Summary

Published
24 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
2–12
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

23 July 2017

Incident Codes

CS1257 RS2355

Location

الشميطية, Shumeteya, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Three civilians from one family died (a father, his son and his daughter) and up to 20 more people were wounded in airstrikes in Shumeteya, according to local sources. No reports pointed directly at the Coalition – though several referred to unidentified “warplanes”. Other sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of…

Summary

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

Incident Date

23 July 2017

Incident Code

RS2357

Location

زور شمر, the town of Ma'dan and the village of Zour Shamr, Raqqa, Syria
Between six and nine civilians died and as many as dozens more were wounded in alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes on the town of of Ma'dan and the village of Zour Shamr. According to Baladi, "Local media sources said Sunday [July 23rd] that Russian planes targeted camps for displaced people in the towns of…

Summary

Published
23 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
6–9
Civilians reported injured
19–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident