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

23 July 2017

Incident Code

RS2358

Location

الخضير, Kudeir, Hama, Syria
Between 10 and 15 civilians - most of them reportedly from the Al Mahmoud family - died and as many as 30 more were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Kudeir , according to local media. The lowest death count was given by Ahmad Shibli at 10 with dozens more wounded. But most other…

Summary

Published
23 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
10–15
Civilians reported injured
12–30
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

23 July 2017

Incident Code

RS2356

Location

مخيم الجويزات قرب الشريدة, Juweizat camp near Al Sharida, Raqqa, Syria
In a major civilian casualty incident, multiple local sources reported that between 20 and 40 civilians - including four or five entire families - died and dozens more were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Juweizat refugee camp near Al Sharida. Reports said that the camp was completely burnt as a result of this attack.…

Summary

Published
23 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
20–40
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

22 July 2017

Incident Codes

CS1251 RS2354

Location

لصبخاوي, Sabkhawi, Raqqa, Syria
At least two civilians including one child died during a night time airstrike on Sabkhawi, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether the US-led Coalition or Russia were responsible. Smart, the Shaam News Network and R.Tahrir.Alsham blamed the Coalition for the strike. However, Baladi, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently and…

Summary

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

Incident Date

22 July 2017

Incident Code

RS2353

Location

رسم العبد, Rasim Al-Abid, Hama, Syria
Two women died in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on Rasim Al-Abid, according to sources on the ground.

Summary

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

Incident Date

20 July 2017

Incident Codes

CS1243 RS2352

Location

معدان, Ma'adan, Raqqa, Syria
At least 11 people, including children, were killed and a number of others were wounded in airstrikes on Ma’dan in eastern Raqqa governorate. However it was contested as to who was responsible. Step News Agency alleged that the Coalition had caused the deaths, while an ISIL propaganda video alleged that Russia was to blame. The…

Summary

Published
20 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
11–24
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

20 July 2017

Incident Code

RS2351

Location

غنيمان, Ghneiman, Homs, Syria
Local media reported an unspecified number of civilian casualties, including children, in an alleged Russian airstrike on Ghneiman. No further details are currently available.

Summary

Published
20 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
0–2
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident