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

25 August 2017

Incident Code

RS2416

Location

ابو الفشافيش, Abo Al-Fashafeesh, Hama, Syria
In what was described as a "massacre", alleged Russian airstrikes killed up to 17civilians and wounded several more in the village of Abo al-Fashafeesh, eastern Hama, local media reported. Sources reported between seven and eight victims, however, none of these was identified by gender, age or name. Enab Baladi cited the local council of the district…

Summary

Published
25 August 2017
Civilians reported killed
7–17
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

24 August 2017

Incident Codes

CS1412 RS2414

Location

Deir Ezzor, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A woman was named as killed in an airstrike on Deir ez-Zor, though sources were conflicted as to who was responsible for her death. The majority of sources blamed either Russia or the regime, however, Hasaka Rasd and Euphrates Post did not apportion blame.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

24 August 2017

Incident Code

RS2415

Location

دير الزور, Deir Ezzor, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One woman was killed in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes on Deir Ezzor city, local media reported. The wording of all the sources was exactly the same, reporting "the martyrdom of Mrs. Nawal al-Khadr as a result of the Russian air raids that hit the city of Deir al-Zour." However, half the sources reported that…

Summary

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

Incident Date

23 August 2017

Incident Codes

CS1408 RS2413

Location

ميادين, Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
On August 23, 2017, six members of the Lafi family were among up to 11 civilians reported killed in air raids on the city of Mayadin, according to local media – though reports were conflicted as to whether the Coalition, the Syrian regime or even Russia were responsible. Although Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported…

Summary

Published
23 August 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
5–11
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

22 August 2017

Incident Code

RS2410

Location

غنيمان, Ghneiman, Hama, Syria
A single source reported that civilians were killed and wounded in an airstrike "mostly likely to be Russian" in Ghneiman. The source did not specify the number of casualties. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

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

Incident Date

22 August 2017

Incident Code

RS2412

Location

رويضة, Ruweida, Akeirabat, Hama, Syria
In what has been described by local media as a "massacre", 50 - 70 civilians were killed, following airstrikes which reportedly struck an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Ruweida, Akeirabat in Hama. Sources were conflicted as to whom was to blame. Some sourced blamed the Syrian regime for the raids, while most blamed Russian…

Summary

Published
22 August 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
IDP or Refugee Camp, Residential
Civilians reported killed
50–70
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident