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

22 August 2017

Incident Code

RS2411

Location

الشميطة, Shumita, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Up to four civilians, including a woman and two children, were killed and several other civilians were left wounded, following airstrikes carried out in Shumita, Deir Ezzor, local media reported, though it was unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime was to blame. Besides three victims, hereof two children, identified by name, many sources reported…

Summary

Published
22 August 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–4
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

22 August 2017

Incident Code

RS2409

Location

ابو الفشافيش, Abo Al-Fashafeesh, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Two civilians were killed and several wounded as alleged Russian warplanes carried out airstrikes in the village of Abu al-Fashafish, Hama, local media reported. Baladi News reported "two civilians were killed and others wounded when a Russian air strike hit eastern Hama countryside on Thursday morning [Aug 24th]." Baladi News' correspondent added that the warplanes…

Summary

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

Incident Date

21 August 2017

Incident Code

RS2406

Location

ميادين, Mayadeen, Deir Ezzor, Syria
The Smart News Agency reported that "five civilians were killed and dozens were wounded" in an airstrike on Al Mayadin on August 21st. The source didn't identify who carried out the strike but noted that "activists launched a campaign of solidarity with them [the victims]. They condemned the daily bombardment of the International Coalition aircraft,…

Summary

Published
21 August 2017
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

21 August 2017

Incident Code

RS2407

Location

حواجي دياب, Hawaji Diab, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Four civilians were killed, including two women, and others were wounded, following airstrikes - with the use of cluster bombs - on Hawaji Diab. Sources all blamed Russia for the raids on the neighbourhood, except Alghad who blamed the Syrian regime. Smart News reported that "Militants said Russian warplanes targeted civilian houses on Tuesday night…

Summary

Published
21 August 2017
Civilians reported killed
2–4
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

21 August 2017

Incident Code

RS2408

Location

الشميطة و المسرب, Shumita and Masrab, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Civilians were killed and wounded in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on Shumita and Masrab, according to local media. The number of dead and wounded was unspecific. However, Deirezzor24 reported that there were ten killed and others wounded, "as a result of the bombing of the air force to the city of the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

20 August 2017

Incident Code

RS2405

Location

مخيم الخريطة, Al-Kharita camp, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A single source reported that "three citizens were killed in Deir Ezzor Province, by bombing [may or may not be Russian] which, targeted a camp for displaced people from Al-Sukhnah, in Al-Kharita Desert in the western countryside of Deir Ezzor". The source was unclear as to whether the warplanes were Russian or not, but did…

Summary

Published
20 August 2017
Civilians reported killed
3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident