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

2 July 2017

Incident Code

RS2311

Location

رسم العوابد, Rasim Al-Awabid, Hama, Syria
An alleged Russian airstrike killed up to four civilians, including two children and wounded several as the village of Rasim Al-Awad in Hama was struck from the air, local media reported. Most sources reported the death of two male children. @AlkhaleejOnline's correspondent reported that "two children were killed and a number of wounded in an air…

Summary

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

Incident Date

2 July 2017

Incident Code

RS2312

Location

حطلة, Hatla, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Up to four civilians were killed and as many as 11 were wounded following alleged Russian airstrikes in Hatla, Deir Ezzor, local media reported. Deir Ezzor24 reported that the "warplanes launched several raids" leading to "many" civilian casualties, while most sources reported between two and three fatalities. Two male victims are identified by name.  However,…

Summary

Published
2 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
2–4
Civilians reported injured
2–11
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

2 July 2017

Incident Code

RS2313

Location

مخيم الحقاف, Hakaf Camp, Al Suwayda, Syria
In this incident, described as a "massacre", between ten and 20 civilians, including children and women, were killed and several were wounded as Russian or Assad-waged warplanes carried out several airstrikes on Hekaf Camp, Sweida, local media reported. Several airstrikes reportedly hit on the afternoon of July 2nd Haqaf camp in Sweida, which is home to displaced…

Summary

Published
2 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
10–20
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

2 July 2017

Incident Code

RS2314

Location

الضاحك, al-Dahek, Homs, Syria
Four civilians from the same family, including children and women, were killed and several were wounded as airstrikes, allegedly carried out by either Russia or the Syrian regime, struck the village of al-Dahek, on the countryside of al-Sukhna, Homs, local media reported. The Violations Documentations Center identified four victims; one child, two women and one adult…

Summary

Published
2 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

1 July 2017

Incident Codes

CS1137 RS2310

Location

المجاوده, Majawdeh, Deir Ezzor, Syria
At least one civilian was killed and a number of others were injured following airstrikes on Majawdeh, roughly 85km southeast of Deir Ezzor. However responsibility was contested. The victim was identified by a number of sources, which also reported that his wife and daughter were injured. The Syrian Human Rights Committee reported that the wife…

Summary

Published
1 July 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
5
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

29 June 2017

Incident Code

RS2309

Location

دير الزور, Deir Ezzor, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One man was seriously injured and his father was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Deir Ezzor, according to sources on the ground. It was reported that "a young man from Deir al-Azur was hit by Russian-made cluster munitions and is now desperately in need of treatment. Name: Daoud Makhlaf Yassin. Daoud was severely…

Summary

Published
29 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident