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

25 June 2017

Incident Code

RS2302

Location

ابو قاطور, Abu Qator, Homs, Syria
A single source reported that "activists pointed out that the raids targeted a prison near the village of Abu Qatour, belonging to the area of Jab Jarrah (about 55 km east of Homs), killing six members of the organisation and wounding four prisoners [civilians] who were transferred to hospitals in Deir Ezzor province." The source…

Summary

Published
25 June 2017
Civilians reported injured
4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

24 June 2017

Incident Code

RS2301

Location

عقيربات, Akeirbat, Hama, Syria
There were reports of unspecific numbers of civilian casualties in Akeirbat following airstrikes on the vicinity. @MasarPressNet attributed blame to "warplanes" who "launched several raids on Akeirabat". However, the Step News Agency reported that "Russian warplanes launched several raids targeting the area of Akeirbat and its environs in the eastern suburb of Hama [with] reports…

Summary

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

Incident Date

23 June 2017

Incident Code

RS2300

Location

محيمدة, Muheimeda, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Sources on the ground reported that as many as 17 civilians were killed, and dozens more were wounded, following airstrikes on Muheimeda in the early hours of the morning. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. The majority of sources attributed blame to the Syrian regime, others pointed to Russian warplanes, however there…

Summary

Published
23 June 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Residential
Civilians reported killed
10–17
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

22 June 2017

Incident Codes

CS1055 RS2299

Location

Al Taybeh, Homs, Syria
One male baby was named as a victim of an airstrike on Raqqa by some local sources. However, this appears to have been a reporting error – with the child in fact likely to have been killed in a Russian, regime or Coalition airstrike on al Taybeh, east of Palmyra. MC Palmyra added that members…

Summary

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

Incident Date

21 June 2017

Incident Code

RS2295

Location

الجنينة, Al-Ginena, Al Hussan and Al Baghiliya villages, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A single source, the Smart News Agency, reported that an unspecified number of civilians were wounded by alleged Russian warplanes on an airstrike in Al-Ginena, Al Hussan and Al Baghiliya villages. The source reported that "the aircraft bombed civilian houses in the villages of Al-Geneina, Hussan and Baghiliya (6 km west of Deir Al-Zour city),…

Summary

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

Incident Date

21 June 2017

Incident Code

RS2296

Location

عقيربات, Akeirbat, Hama, Syria
An unspecific number of civilians were killed and wounded in air and artillery strikes on the area of Akeirbat, including - according to Enabbaladi - the village of Abu Ramal. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. While most blame Russia, only one blamed the Syrian regime. According to sources, as many as…

Summary

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