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

18 June 2017

Incident Code

RS2290

Location

Akeirbat, Hama, Syria
Between one and two civilians were killed, and several others were wounded, following an airstrike on Akeirbat, local media reported. Both sources blamed Russian military aircraft for the strikes. @radioalsham reported that a woman was killed and several others were wounded, while the Step News Agency reported that two civilians were killed as well as…

Summary

Published
18 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

18 June 2017

Incident Code

RS2291

Location

Sokhna, Homs, Syria
A single source, the Step News Agency, reported that "a number of air raids targeted the vicinity of Sukhna town, destroying two cars and causing injuries in the area." There were no details of any civilian deaths, or any other details at this time.

Summary

Published
18 June 2017
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 June 2017

Incident Code

RS2285

Location

عين قريع, Ain Qurei, Idlib, Syria
A man was killed, and two other civilians were wounded, when remnants of a cluster bomb exploded in Ain Qurei left by a previous raid, sources on the ground reported. Sources all blamed a previous Russian raid for the remnants left in the vicinity. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

Published
17 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 June 2017

Incident Code

RS2288

Location

الطيبة, Al-Tayba, Homs, Syria
Six civilians were killed when military aircraft struck oil tankers in the neighbourhood of Al-Tayba, local media reported. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. While most sources blamed Russia for the strikes. JisirTV pointed to the Syrian regime.  According to the Smart News Agency, the six civilians who were killed were drivers…

Summary

Published
17 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
6
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 June 2017

Incident Code

RS2286

Location

فجر, Fajir, Hama, Syria
A woman and two children were killed, and five others were wounded, in an airstrike on Fajir, local media reported. Sources all blamed Russian military aircraft for the raids.  According to Radio.Fresh, the wounded were transferred to hospital in the aftermath.  There are no other details at this time.

Summary

Published
17 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 June 2017

Incident Code

RS2287

Location

الحميدية, Hamidiya, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A man was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on the residential neighbourhood of Hamidiya, local media reported. There were no wounded civilians reported. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

Published
17 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident