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

22 May 2017

Incident Code

RS2243

Location

العرضي, Al A'radi, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between four and 30 civilians, including two to four women and two to five children, were killed and between 20 and 30 others, including women and children, were injured in alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes against the Al A'radi neighborhood of Deir Ezzor city, local media reported. At the time of reporting seven civilian…

Summary

Published
22 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
4–30
Civilians reported injured
20–30
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

22 May 2017

Incident Code

RS2241

Location

الحريشة, Al Harisha, Hama, Syria
At least two civilians, including two children, were killed and at least three others were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes against the village of Al Harisha in the Eastern Hama countryside, according to local sources. Smart News Agency named Russian planes as those believed to be responsible while other sources did not name a party…

Summary

Published
22 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

22 May 2017

Incident Code

RS2242

Location

خشام, Khisham, Deir Ezzor, Syria
An unknown number of injuries resulted from alleged Russian airstrikes against the town of Khisham in the eastern suburb of Deir Ezzor, according to local sources. Some of the injuries were severe enough to have caused amputations, published @Deirfree. The majority of sources, including Shaam Network, reported that Russian planes carried out the airstrikes while…

Summary

Published
22 May 2017
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

19 May 2017

Incident Code

RS2239

Location

الكناماتا لحويقة, al Kanamat and al Huweika neighborhoods, Deir Ezzor, Syria
At least two civilians were killed and others were wounded in alleged Russian and/or regime airstrikes against the al Kanamat and al Huweika neighborhoods of Deir Ezzor, local media reported. No specific numbers were given for casualties but both sources identified that more than one civilian was killed and injured. According to Shaam Network, Russian…

Summary

Published
19 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

18 May 2017

Incident Code

RS2238

Location

مناطق الحماد, Al Hammad, Homs, Syria
At least one civilian was killed in alleged Russian airstrikes against the the Al Hammad areas of Homs, local media reported. All local sources that reported on the incident, including the Violations Documentation Center, identified Russian planes as responsible for the airstrikes.

Summary

Published
18 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

18 May 2017

Incident Code

RS2237

Location

أبو رمال, Abu Ramal , Hama, Syria
At least four civilians, including a woman, were killed and three others were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes against the village of Abu Ramal in the Al Silmiya District of eastern Hama, according to sources on the ground. The civilians that were killed were members of the same family and those that were injured were…

Summary

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