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

19 August 2017

Incident Code

RS2404

Location

ابو شهري, Abo Shahri, Raqqa, Syria
Between five and seven civilians from one family were killed, including three women and three children, following airstrikes on Abo Shahri. Sources all blamed Russian warplanes for the raids, except the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, who blamed Russian and Syrian regime shelling. There were no reports of any injured civilians. According to the Syrian…

Summary

Published
19 August 2017
Civilians reported killed
5–7
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

19 August 2017

Incident Code

RS2402

Location

حمادة عمر, Hamada Omar, Hama, Syria
Local sources reported that four or five civilians were killed, including four young men from the same family, and others were injured, following an airstrike on Hamada Omar. All sources blamed Russian warplanes for the raid. According to the Shaam News Network, "Activists said four young men from the al-Haj Ahmad Saad al-Din al-Hamoud family…

Summary

Published
19 August 2017
Civilians reported killed
4–5
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

19 August 2017

Incident Code

RS2403

Location

الهداج, Al Hadaj, Hama, Syria
Syr rev news tweeted that "a civilian was killed and four others were injured as a result of a military air strike targeting a car carrying displaced people in Al Hadaj village in the eastern suburb of Hama". According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, "at least 5 civilians, most of whom are from…

Summary

Published
19 August 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–5
Civilians reported injured
4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

18 August 2017

Incident Code

RS2401

Location

الحميدية, Hamidiya, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Three civilians were injured in an air or artillery strike on Hamidiya. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. Some blamed the Syrian regime, while others blamed Russia for the raids. Euphrates Post tweeted later that there were some " civilian casualties" without specifying a number.  Halab Today called the raid a Russian…

Summary

Published
18 August 2017
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

16 August 2017

Incident Codes

CS1378 RS2399

Location

صبيخان, Subikhan, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local sources said that up to six civilians were killed and up to ten more wounded in airstrikes on the town of Subikhan in the countryside of Eastern Deir Ezzor. It was unclear which party was culpable for this civilian casualty event. At present, two out of sixteen sources hold the US-led Coalition responsible, two…

Summary

Published
16 August 2017
Civilians reported killed
3–6
Civilians reported injured
2–10
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

16 August 2017

Incident Codes

CS1379 RS2398

Location

زباري, Al Zabari, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One civilian male was killed in an airstrike on Al-Zabari, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether the Coalition, the Syrian regime or Russia was to blame for the raids. There were no reports of wounded civilians. Sharqya Voice, Saud Sbekhan and Alarby blamed the Coalition. But according to the…

Summary

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