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

16 August 2017

Incident Code

RS2400

Location

حسيا, Hasya, Hama, Syria
A single source reported that "Russian warplanes targeting several vehicles carrying displaced people in the area of #Hassia area #Aqirbat [with] news of martyrs and wounded among the displaced." There are no other details at this time.

Summary

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

Incident Date

15 August 2017

Incident Code

RS2396

Location

حسيا, Hasya, Hama, Syria
A single source reported that "in the countryside of Hama, the Russian warplanes targeted several cars carrying displaced people is Hasya. There were reports of dead and wounded civilians amongst those struck." There are no specific numbers. No other details at this time.

Summary

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

Incident Date

15 August 2017

Incident Code

RS2397

Location

السخنة, Sokhna, Homs, Syria
A single source reported that "Russian warplanes launched several raids targeting the vicinity of the city of Sukhna and # Hamaima rural Homs east, resulting in casualties and material in the ranks of the # organisation of the state." There were no specific numbers reported, or any other details at this time.

Summary

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

Incident Date

14 August 2017

Incident Code

RS2395

Location

ابو شهري, Abo Shahri, Raqqa, Syria
A father and son were killed in airstrikes on Abo Shahri and the countryside in the surrounding vicinity. There were no reports of wounded civilians.  All sources blamed Russian warplanes for the strikes. According to Baladi "Russian aircraft and aircraft launched intensive raids, targeting the town (Ma'adan) with rockets and explosive bombs, as well as…

Summary

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

Incident Date

13 August 2017

Incident Code

RS2394

Location

حمادة عمر, Hamada Omar, Hama, Syria
An unspecific number of civilians were wounded due to an aerial bombardment of Hamada Omar and the surrounding vicinity, according to local media. All the sources either attributed blame to Russia or did not attribute any blame. There are no reports of civilian fatalities. AE News reported that " warplanes continude intensive shelling since yesterday…

Summary

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

Incident Date

12 August 2017

Incident Code

RS2393

Location

حطلة, Hatla, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One man was killed, and others were reportedly wounded, following an airstrike on Hatla. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame for the strikes. some blaming the Syrian regime, while others attributed blame to Moscow. Baladi even blamed "unknown warplanes" for the raids. Jisirtv described the bombardment as a missile attack, while others…

Summary

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