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

31 August 2017

Incident Codes

CS1433 RS2422

Location

صغير شامية, Sagheer Shamiya, Deir Ezzor, Syria
On August 31, 2017, at least three civilians died in an airstrike on Zaghir Shamiya, according to local media – though reports were conflicted as to whether the US-led Coalition, Russia or the Syrian Regime were responsible for the event. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that between two and three people were killed…

Summary

Published
31 August 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN)
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

29 August 2017

Incident Code

RS2421

Location

عياش, Aayash, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Up to two civilians, hereof at least one woman, were killed and several more were wounded, local media reported, following alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes hitting the town of Ayyash, Deir Ezzor. The female victim was identified by name by several sources and @Soheb Al-Haskawi added that she was the wife of Salem Rajwan.…

Summary

Published
29 August 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

29 August 2017

Incident Code

RS2420

Location

الشميطية, Shumetiya, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local sources reported that one civilian man, identified by name, was killed by alleged Russian airstrikes in Shumetiya, the countryside of Deir Ezzor. There were no reports about the number of wounded.  

Summary

Published
29 August 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

28 August 2017

Incident Code

RS2419

Location

الطريف, Al-Tariff, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One civilian man was killed and several were injured following Russian or Assad-waged airstrikes that hit al-Tariff, Deir Ezzor, local media reported. All sources reported about the death of one civilian, who was identified by name by Step News and @DeirEzzor24. In addition to this, several civilians were reported wounded. Sources described how the strikes inflicted…

Summary

Published
28 August 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

28 August 2017

Incident Code

RS2418

Location

المشتل, al-Mashtal, Hama, Syria
Local media reported that "a number of civilians were killed and injured" following an alleged Russian airstrike in al-Masthal, Hama, that at the time was controlled by ISIS. According to 7al, the warplane hit a group of displaced people. Two sources attributed blame to Russia while one, 7al, did not identify the culprit.

Summary

Published
28 August 2017
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26 August 2017

Incident Code

RS2417

Location

النعيمية, Al-Na'imiya, Hama, Syria
Two sources reported that alleged Russian airstrikes had killed one woman and her three-months-old child as strikes were launched in the village of al-Na'imiya, Hama. Both sources attributed blame to Russia and while both reported the death of the woman and her child, @AhmadShbli was the only one identifying them by name and age.

Summary

Published
26 August 2017
Civilians reported killed
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident