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

9 August 2017

Incident Code

RS2391

Location

حماده عمر, Hamada Omar, Hama, Syria
A number of civilians were injured in an alleged Russian airstrike in Hamada Omar, according to local media sources. It was not clear how many civilians were injured in the attack, but several of the sources mention how a mosque and a number of civilian homes were destroyed. Idlib Media Centre added that the Russians…

Summary

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

Incident Date

9 August 2017

Incident Code

RS2392

Location

سوحا, Suha, Hama, Syria
A man was killed, and several others were wounded, following airstrikes on Suha - according to local media. Sources all blamed Russian warplanes for the strikes. Baladi reported that the victims home was "targeted" with high explosive rockets.  There are no other details at this time.

Summary

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

Incident Date

6 August 2017

Incident Codes

CS1339 RS2390

Location

دوار البكرة, Al Mayadin, al Bakra roundabout, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One civilian girl  was reported killed after air strikes during the night, near Ali Bin Abi Taleb mosque in Deir Ezzor. At present there is a single allegation in a Smart report against the US-led Coalition, though this is contested in a Facebook post by Free Deir Ezzor which attributed the strikes to “Russian criminal…

Summary

Published
6 August 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

5 August 2017

Incident Code

RS2389

Location

بداما, Bdama, Idlib, Syria
One child was killed when a cluster bomb dropped in a previous airstrike exploded in Bdama, local media reported. EdlibEMC said that the bomb was dropped by Russia, though the other sources didn't identify the culprit. It was not clear when the munitions was dropped.

Summary

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

Incident Date

4 August 2017

Incident Codes

CS1329 RS2387

Location

حمرة بويتية, Hamra Buweitiya, Raqqa, Syria
Local sources have reported that on August 4, 2017, between three and six civilians were reportedly killed in an aerial bombardment on Al-Buweitaya in the western suburb of Deir Ezzor. Some sources have alleged that the US-led Coalition was responsible, however, other sources attributed the attack to the regime, and some to Russia. According to…

Summary

Published
4 August 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3–6
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

4 August 2017

Incident Codes

CS1330 RS2388

Location

منطقة المنجم, Al Munjem area, Al Tabani, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Multiple local sources reported that a minimum of four people were killed in an air raid in al Tabani. One report from Smart totalled the number of victims at seven. The majority of sources asserted that the strikes were carried out by Russian forces, or as reported by Step news agency, ‘#russian-owned’ aircraft. According to…

Summary

Published
4 August 2017
Civilians reported killed
4–7
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident