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

16 July 2017

Incident Codes

CS1212 RS2340

Location

الصبحة, Al Subha, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Three to six civilians died in airstrikes on al Subha village, local media reported, though it was unclear whether the Coalition or Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “five people were martyred and three of them were charred, as a result of shelling by aircraft. It’s…

Summary

Published
16 July 2017
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
3–6
Civilians reported injured
2–10
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

15 July 2017

Incident Codes

CS1206 RS2335

Location

ميادين, Al Mayadin, al Arabaeen street and other areas, Deir Ezzor, Syria
At least ten civilians – including at least one woman and two children – were killed and dozens more were wounded following airstrikes near two schools in the city of Al Mayadeen. However, local sources were conflicted as to who was responsible. Both Russia and the US-led Coalition were reportedly responsible. Syrian Network for Human…

Summary

Published
15 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
10
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

15 July 2017

Incident Code

RS2336

Location

أم قيبة, Umm Qiba village, near al Sokhna, Homs, Syria
Three women were killed and other civilians injured in alleged Russian raids on the village of Um Qiba in the eastern Homs countryside, local sources reported. The Violations Documentation Center in Syria said those killed included two daughters of Mkaimen al-Shihetan and Faysal al-Shihatan.

Summary

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

Incident Date

15 July 2017

Incident Code

RS2337

Location

Al Hamidiya, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Two civilians were wounded by alleged Russian airstrikes on the neighborhood of downtown Hamidiya, local sources reported. No further details are currently available.

Summary

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

Incident Date

14 July 2017

Incident Code

RS2334

Location

عين ترما,, Ain Tarma, Damascus, Syria
Alleged Russian or Syrian warplanes committed “a massacre” in the city of Ain Tarma, local sources reported, killing at up to 21 named civilians including women and children. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, there were up to 20 strikes on the town. Some reports also said that the town was hit by…

Summary

Published
14 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
2–21
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

13 July 2017

Incident Code

RS2329

Location

حماد عمر, Hammad Omar, Hama, Syria
Three civilians were killed and a young man injured in alleged Russian air strikes on the town of Hammad Omar, east of Hama, according to local reports. Alaraby reported that the raids occurred during battles between regime forces and ISIS. An opposition media activist told the Syria Newsdesk that the area was targeted “with more…

Summary

Published
13 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident