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

15 June 2017

Incident Code

RS2282

Location

النعيمية, Al-Nu'aymeya, Hama, Syria
Eight civilians were killed, and an unspecific number were wounded, following an aerial bombardment on civilian homes in Al-Nu'aymeya, local media reported. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame - some attributed blame to the Syrian regime and others to Russia. Baladi reported that "the area lacks medical points and even trained medical…

Summary

Published
15 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
8
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

15 June 2017

Incident Codes

CS1105a RS2284

Location

مراط, Mrat, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In an airstrike which hit Mrat, as many as 11 civilians were killed - including six from one family - and dozens more were wounded, according to local media. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. Most attributed blame to the Syrian regime, while Souriyati, blamed the Coalition. Others also blamed Russian warplanes…

Summary

Published
15 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
6–11
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

15 June 2017

Incident Codes

CS1005 RS2283

Location

السيد عايد, Al-Sayed Alyed in Hatla village, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between two and seven civilians were killed, and an unspecific number of others were wounded, following the bombing by military aircraft on Al-Sayed Alyed. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. Some attributed blame to the Syrian regime, while others blamed Russia. Many sources also reported on "military aircraft" thus, not attributing any…

Summary

Published
15 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
2–7
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

14 June 2017

Incident Code

RS2280

Location

اللج, Al-Laj, Hama, Syria
An unspecified number of civilians were wounded and killed when warplanes struck a camp for displaced peoples in the village of Al-Laj, local media reported. All three sources blamed Russian warplanes for the strikes. Women and children were reportedly included in the numbers of wounded and killed. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

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

Incident Date

14 June 2017

Incident Code

RS2281

Location

طفس, Tafas , Daraa, Syria
Eight to 12 internally displaced civilians were killed, and dozens more were wounded, following an air and artillery airstrike on a residential area in Tafas, local media reported. According to sources, the raids struck the courtyard of Martyr Kiwan middle school which was being used to house internally displaced peoples from Etman. Sources were conflicted…

Summary

Published
14 June 2017
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
8–12
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

13 June 2017

Incident Code

RS2278

Location

العلباوي, Al A'lbawi, Hama, Syria
A single source, the Smart News Agency, reported that "a number of civilians were killed and wounded by shelling of warplanes likely to be Russian to a village controlled by the Islamic State Organisation, east of Hama city, central Syria". It added that, "the aircraft bombed civilian houses in the village of Al-Albawi, east of…

Summary

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