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

28 July 2017

Incident Codes

CS1291 RS2373

Location

ميادين, Mayadin, Al Masaken, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One civilian died and several others were wounded in airstrikes on Al Mayadin, according to local media – though it is unclear whether the US-led Coalition or Russia were to blame. According to Euphrates Post, “The International Alliance launched several air raids around 7am targeting the Al Masaken area near the mosque of Othman bin…

Summary

Published
28 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition, Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

28 July 2017

Incident Code

RS2374

Location

مراط, Mrat, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Three civilians were killed and an unspecified number were wounded following alleged Russian airstrikes on Mrat town in Deir Ezzor countryside, local media reported. Only two sources attributed their blame to Russia, while others did not attribute blame. One named "military aircraft". The strikes "targeted the house of Denous al-Besha’an" causing three civilian deaths, according…

Summary

Published
28 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

27 July 2017

Incident Codes

CS1282 RS2371

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Up to 48 civilians died and 40 were injured in alleged air and artillery strikes by the Coalition and the SDF in Raqqa, according to local media. However, sources did not specify the locations for these deaths and these are therefore general numbers. Additionally, one source Watan reported that there had been Russian actions in…

Summary

Published
27 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
48
Civilians reported injured
40
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

27 July 2017

Incident Code

RS2372

Location

Otaya, Damascus, Syria
An unspecific number of civilians were killed, and as many as five were injured, including four women and an adult male, following an alleged Russian and Syrian regime air and artillery strike on Otaya, local media reported. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. Some blamed the Syrian regime for the raids, while…

Summary

Published
27 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26 July 2017

Incident Codes

CS1276 RS2369

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
Between 29 and 36 civilians died in air and artillery strikes in Raqqa over the previous 24 hours, according to local sources. Most reports blamed the Coalition – though one also said that Russia had carried out strikes in the city. It should be noted that the numbers given in these reports are general numbers…

Summary

Published
26 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
29–36
Civilians reported injured
50
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

26 July 2017

Incident Codes

CS1277 RS2370

Location

بلدة الطيبة, Al Tayba, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Up to 15 civilians including nine people from the same family died and dozens more were injured in airstrikes near Taybah in Mayadin, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether the Coalition or Russia were to blame. The Step News Agency, Smart News Agency and Zamanalwasl were among sources pointing…

Summary

Published
26 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
9–15
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident