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

29 June 2017

Incident Code

RS2308

Location

جديدة بكارة, Jadida Bakara, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One adult male died, and " a number of others" were wounded, in an airstrike on Jadida Bakara desert, according to local media. Almost all sources blamed Russian shelling for the civilian casualties, however, two sources did not apportion blame. Euphrates Post reported that "Hammadi Aboud al-A’tish (civilian) was killed in a military air strike…

Summary

Published
29 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

28 June 2017

Incident Codes

CS1112 RS2304

Location

Al Lattoum village, Homs, Syria
One child died and several members of his family were injured in an airstrike on Al Lattoum village, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of the US-led Coalition (against which there was just one allegation), Russia or the Syrian regime. Alsoukhnaalhadath reported the death of…

Summary

Published
28 June 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1–3
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

28 June 2017

Incident Codes

CS1118 RS2305

Location

دبلان, Dablan, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Up to 60 civilians died and dozens more were wounded in airstrikes on Dablan, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to who was responsible for the event, with allegations against the Coalition, Russia and the Syrian regime. The pro-regime source, Damas Press, put the death toll at 40 and blamed the…

Summary

Published
28 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
21–60
Civilians reported injured
12–60
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

28 June 2017

Incident Code

RS2306

Location

السخنة, Al-Sokhna , Homs, Syria
An unspecific number of civilians were killed and wounded in an airstrike on Al-Sokhna - according to local media. Only one source blamed Russia, and the others blamed unidentified warplanes for the raids. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, "the warplanes bombarded areas in the northern outskirts of the city of Sokhna in the…

Summary

Published
28 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

28 June 2017

Incident Code

RS2307

Location

المربعات, Al-Marba'at, Nabi’ al Sakher, Quneitra, Syria
Between four and eight civilians were killed - reportedly from one family - and others were wounded, when airstrikes struck Al-Marba'at town, local media said. According to sources, up to three children, a woman, and a man were killed in the raids. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame for the strikes. Some…

Summary

Published
28 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
4–8
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

27 June 2017

Incident Code

RS2303

Location

السخنة, Al-Sokhna , Homs, Syria
An unspecific number of civilian casualties were reported in airstrikes on Al-Sokhna,  according to local media. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. Syrian News reported that "Russian aircraft launched air raids Tuesday [Tuesday 27th]  on the city of Al-Sokhna and the outskirts of Homs in eastern Homs". But the Syrian Observatory for Human…

Summary

Published
27 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident