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

7 June 2017

Incident Codes

CS928 RS2270

Location

طريق السده ا, Al Sadda road, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between 9 and 10 civilians died in an airstrike on a van or small bus near the Al Sadda road, Al Quriya, Deir Ezzor, according to local media. While most sources blamed the Coalition (which confirmed targeting a vehicle in the province on the day), one outlet alleged that Russia was responsible. Sound and Picture,…

Summary

Published
7 June 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
9–10
Civilians reported injured
4–10
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

7 June 2017

Incident Code

RS2271

Location

عقيربات, Akeirbat, Hama, Syria
A woman and her child - both named - died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Akeirbat, according to local media. According to the Facebook group ‘Local council of Akeirbat and its countryside’, “\our air raids on the village of Akeirbat by Russian aircraft led to the martyrdom of a woman and her daughter as…

Summary

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

Incident Date

7 June 2017

Incident Code

RS2272

Location

جب الجراح غنيمان, Ghneiman village, Jeb al Jrah district, 55 km east of Homs, Homs, Syria
Four civilians died, including a woman and a child, and six other non-combatants were wounded in an airstrike on Ghneiman in Homs, according to local media. Only one source, the Smart News Agency, pointed to Russia as the “likely” culprit; the other reports didn’t apportion blame of this event. According to the Smart News Agency,…

Summary

Published
7 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
6
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

5 June 2017

Incident Code

RS2267

Location

عقيربات حماده عمر, Hamada Omar, Akeirbat, Hama, Syria
One child died and several other civilians were wounded in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on Hamada Omar, according to sources on the ground. Most sources blamed Russia, though Orient said that the regime had also carried out strikes on Hamada Omar. @almntserbalaah and Shahbapress said that a child was killed, while Shahbapress…

Summary

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

Incident Date

5 June 2017

Incident Code

RS2268

Location

طفس, Taftas town, Daraa, Syria
Local sources reported the killing of between four and 14 civilians, including children, and the wounding of up to 31 more in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on civilian areas of the city of Tafas. Some sources reported that two more civilians succumbed to their wounds after treatment in medical facilities. The Syrian Network…

Summary

Published
5 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
4–14
Civilians reported injured
2–31
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

5 June 2017

Incident Code

RS2266

Location

عقيربات, Akeirbat, Hama, Syria
Local sources reported that air raids, likely to be Russian, stuck the town and surrounding farms of Akeirbat in eastern Hama. @HalabTodayTV reported the use of phosphorus munitions. Three civilians, including one woman, were reported killed and four others were reportedly taken to hospital for treatment of their wounds.

Summary

Published
5 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident