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

17 May 2017

Incident Code

RS2235

Location

الحويقة, Al Hwaighe, Deir Ezzor, Syria
At least one civilian, an adult male, was killed and others were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes against the neighborhood of Al Hwaighe in Deir Ezzor, local media reported. According to @AhrarDeirezzor, the civilian was killed after he left the mosque and other members of his family were also injured. The majority of local sources,…

Summary

Published
17 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 May 2017

Incident Code

RS2236

Location

رسم الحمام, Rasim al Hamam, Aleppo, Syria
At least five civilians were killed, including two children, and others were wounded in more than five alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes against the town of Rasim al Hamam in Eastern Aleppo, according to local sources. The majority of sources, including Smart News and Syrianoor, reported that Russian planes were responsible for carrying out…

Summary

Published
17 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

16 May 2017

Incident Code

RS2232

Location

سوحا, Soha , Homs, Syria
Between 13 and 15 civilians were killed - and as many as 30 were wounded - following an airstrike on a bakery in Soha. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. All sources blamed Russia, except Syrian News Desk, which blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime. Sources reported that ten out of…

Summary

Published
16 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
13–15
Civilians reported injured
12–30
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

16 May 2017

Incident Code

RS2233

Location

سقبا, Saqba, Damascus, Syria
A child died from his wounds on May 21st from an air and artillery strike on Saqba,  according to local sources. As many as four civilians were reportedly wounded in this raid. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, some attributed blame to Russia, while others pointed to the Syrian regime. An image…

Summary

Published
16 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2–4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

16 May 2017

Incident Code

RS2234

Location

حمورية, Hamouriya, Damascus, Syria
Six civilians were killed and dozens more were wounded in an air and artillery strike on Hamouriya, according to local media. Sources were conflicted as to who was responsible, with some attributing blame to Russia, while others pointed to the Syrian regime. According to Qasıoun, a guided missile struck an old Mosque in the town.…

Summary

Published
16 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
6
Civilians reported injured
11–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

15 May 2017

Incident Code

RS2230

Location

سوحا, Soha , Hama, Syria
Two brothers were killed and others civilians were wounded - according to one source - following an airstrike on Soha. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. Some reported that Russia was to blame, and others attributed blame to the Syrian regime. The Syrian Network for Human Rights pointed to the "Russian-Syrian alliance".…

Summary

Published
15 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
0–2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident