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

13 June 2017

Incident Code

RS2279

Location

عزالدين, Izzedin, Homs, Syria
A male child was killed, and between one and two other civilians were wounded, following the explosion of remnants left by a previous airstrike on Izzedin, local media reported. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. Some blamed a previous Russian raid, while others blamed the Syrian regime. The sources, however, do agree…

Summary

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

Incident Date

11 June 2017

Incident Code

RS2277

Location

حطلة و الصالحية, Hatla and Salihiya, Deir Ezzor, Syria
As many as three civilians were killed - including one man - and some others were injured, following an airstrike on the towns of Hatla and Salihiya. Sources mostly all blamed Russia, however some remained impartial and did not attribute blame. According to the Smart News Agency, the strike hit "Al Salhiya roundabout at the…

Summary

Published
11 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–3
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

10 June 2017

Incident Code

RS2276

Location

رويضة, Ruweida, Hama, Syria
Three civilians were killed - and others were wounded - following an aerial bombardment on Ruweida. Sources either attributed blame to Russian warplanes, or reported the sighting of unidentified warplanes. The Smart News Agency is the only source to specifically report that three "drivers" were killed in the raids. Others state that there were an…

Summary

Published
10 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

9 June 2017

Incident Codes

CS938 RS2275

Location

جديد عكيدات, Jadid Akeidat, Deir Ezzor, Syria
As many as eight civilians, as well as six named which including medical personnel died, and others were wounded in an airstrike on Jadid Akeidat village, Deir Ez-Zour, according to local media – though reports were conflicted as to whether the US-led Coalition, the Syrian regime or Russia were responsible for the attacks. Sources reported…

Summary

Published
9 June 2017
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
6–8
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

8 June 2017

Incident Codes

CS946a RS2274

Location

عياش, Ayyash, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Four airstrikes were reported in Ayyash, southwest of Deir Ezzor city, by local media. The sources reported dozens of wounded and that one of the wounded, Thiab al-Rajwan, later died in hospital of the wounds sustained when his house was bombed. Sources were conflicted on who was to blame, with reports pointing to Russia, the…

Summary

Published
8 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

8 June 2017

Incident Code

RS2273

Location

حريشة, Harisha, Hama, Syria
A single source reported that "warplanes - likely to be Russian - launched a phosphorous bomb attack on the village of Al-Huraisha, near Aqirbat (about 67 km east of Hama), killing three civilians from one family, including a child." There were no reports of wounded and no other details at this time.

Summary

Published
8 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident