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

17 July 2017

Incident Code

RS2344

Location

عقيربات خالد هلال, Khaled Hilal village, Akeirbat district, Hama, Syria
Local media reported that a man and a woman died and others were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Khaled Hilal village. According to AadaAlSham, "two civilians were killed and others injured on Monday evening [July 17th] in air strikes by Russian warplanes on a village controlled by Daesh in the eastern Hama countryside. Field…

Summary

Published
17 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 July 2017

Incident Code

RS2342

Location

حقل الجفرة, Al Jafra [oil] field junction, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Nine civilians died in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on Al Jafra [oil] field junction, according to sources on the ground. Rozanafm said: "On Tuesday [July 17th], our correspondent in Deir al-Zour reported that a military aircraft believed to belong to the Syrian regime targeted a car carrying nine civilians on Al Jafra field…

Summary

Published
17 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
9
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 July 2017

Incident Codes

CS1216 RS2343

Location

الكشكية, Al Kashkiya, school building, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Seven civilians were killed - including five civilians believed to be from one family - and a number of others were injured in airstrikes on the village of Al Kashkiya in eastern Deir Ezzor.  However it was contested as to who was responsible. Four sources – Radio al Kul, Micro News, Smart News Agency and…

Summary

Published
17 July 2017
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
5–9
Civilians reported injured
2–10
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

16 July 2017

Incident Code

RS2338

Location

هجين, Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
An unspecified number of civilians died and were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Hajin, according to sources on the ground. The Euphrates Post reported: ""A launched air raids targeting Hajin village this morning [July 16th] with rockets targeting a house near the house of Hamadi al-Shawish. Another missile landed in front of the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

16 July 2017

Incident Code

RS2341

Location

حزة, Hazza, Damascus, Syria
As many as four children died and dozens more civilians were reported wounded in an airstrike on Hazza, according to sources on the ground. Most reports blamed the Assad regime, though there was also an allegation against Russia. According to Akhbaralaan, "Activists said that the warplanes of the Assad forces fired several rockets on residential neighborhoods…

Summary

Published
16 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
4–5
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

16 July 2017

Incident Codes

CS1211 RS2339

Location

ميادين, Al Mayadin, multiple locations, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between 11 and 14 civilians – including several women and children – were killed and dozens others were wounded in airstrikes on Al Mayadin. However it was contested as to who was responsible. Sources either blamed Russia, the Syrian regime or the US-led Coalition. More than five sources made no claims with regards to responsibility. However,…

Summary

Published
16 July 2017
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
11–14
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident