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

5 June 2017

Incident Code

RS2269

Location

عقيربات أبو حواديد, Abu Huwadid village near Akeirbat, Hama, Syria
Between ten and 15 civilians died, including ten or 11 from the Bakhour family, in an alleged Russian airstrike on their home in Abu Huwadid village near Akeirbat, according to sources on the ground. Sources attributed the blame to Russia. The Local council of Akeirbat and its countryside on Facebook said that the only survivor…

Summary

Published
5 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
10–15
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

4 June 2017

Incident Code

RS2264

Location

رسم العالي, Rasim Al Aa’li village, Akeirbat area, Hama, Syria
Local sources reported that an alleged Russian warplane struck the village of Rasim Al Aa’li in the Akeirbat region in eastern Hama by warplanes, killing three civilians and injuring three civilians.  Smart News reported that a woman and two children were killed and that another three civilians were wounded, some of whom were in critical…

Summary

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

Incident Date

4 June 2017

Incident Code

RS2262

Location

طهماز, Tahmaz, Hama, Syria
An internally displaced man was killed due to airstrikes on Tahmaz, according to local media. Some sources reported that Russian warplanes were responsible for the airstrike, while others reported it was attributable to the Syrian regime. Hosain Obaid al-Asaad had fled from Akeirbat. Some other civilians were allegedly wounded. There are no other details at…

Summary

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

Incident Date

4 June 2017

Incident Code

RS2263

Location

حمادة عمر, Hamada Omar, Hama, Syria
Local sources reported the killing of Roz Mohammad al-Ibraheem, an adult female, by warplanes, likely to be Russian, in the village of Hamada Omar in rural Hama. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

Published
4 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

4 June 2017

Incident Codes

CS919a RS2265

Location

موحسن, Mohsen, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local sources reported the killing of Mohamad Amla Al Fals Abu Ammar and his daughter Wafa Amla Al Fals on Sunday June 4th, as warplanes struck his residence in the village of Muhasan in rural Deir Ezzor. Some sources also mentioned the wounding of other members of his family. The sources disagreed on the nationality…

Summary

Published
4 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
2–3
Civilians reported injured
2–7
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

3 June 2017

Incident Code

RS2261

Location

رسم الطويل, Rasim Al-Tawil in Jab Al Jarah, Homs, Syria
Smart News reported that civilian housing in the village of Rasim Al-Tawil was struck by an aerial bombardment of warplanes, likely to be Russian. Three civilians were reported killed and five others were reported wounded, amongst them women and children. There are no other details at this time.  

Summary

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