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 July 2017

Incident Codes

CS1237 RS2349

Location

قرية الجبلي, Al Jabli, Raqqa, Syria
A civilian male and a female were killed following airstrikes in the Al Jabli village in Raqqa governorate. However, it was contested as to who was responsible, with some sources blaming Russia, while others blamed the US-led Coalition. Al Sabkha reported on the "martyrdom of the sister Khadija Yousef Al-Hamoud Al-Akla was resident in her…

Summary

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

Incident Date

19 July 2017

Incident Code

RS2347

Location

معدانقرية النعمات, al Na’amat village, Maadan, Raqqa, Syria
Local sources reported that one named adult male civilian was killed and his son was wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on al Na’amat village. Both Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently and Ahmad Al Shibli blamed Russia for the civilian harm.

Summary

Published
19 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

19 July 2017

Incident Code

RS2350

Location

قرية عياش, Ayyash village, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local media reported that between 10 and 15 civilians died and as many as dozens more were wounded in an airstrike on Ayyash village. Multiple sources named the victims, 10 of whom were from the family of Khalaf Khader al-Faleh. The Violations Documentation Centre also listed five unidentified adult males as killed, reportedly from Aleppo. The majority of…

Summary

Published
19 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
10–15
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

19 July 2017

Incident Codes

CS1236 RS2348

Location

زور شمر, Zor Shamer, Raqqa, Syria
Up to 22 civilians including as many as 11 children died in airstrikes on Zor Shamer, according to local media – though reports were conflicted as to whether the US-led Coalition or Russia were to blame. There were no reports of injured civilians. @eldorar, Syrian free army, Ahmad Shibli and the Smart News Agency pointed…

Summary

Published
19 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
8–22
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

18 July 2017

Incident Codes

CS1229 RS2345

Location

معدان, Ma'adan, Raqqa, Syria
Three people were reportedly wounded following airstrikes in Ma’dan on the eastern border of Raqqa governorate. However it was contested as to who was responsible. One source, Shaam News Network, claimed that the airstrikes caused a “massacre” and that 12 civilians were killed. However it was at odds with nine other sources which reported the…

Summary

Published
18 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
0–12
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

18 July 2017

Incident Codes

CS1234 RS2346

Location

معدان, Ma'adan, Raqqa, Syria
As many as 12 civilians died and dozens were injured in airstrikes and/or artillery shelling on Ma’adan, local media reported – though sources were conflicted as to whether the US-led Coalition or Russia or event the Syrian regime were responsible. Baladi blamed artillery for the injury of “a number of civilians”, however, other sources –…

Summary

Published
18 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
12
Civilians reported injured
3–24
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident