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

11 May 2017

Incident Code

RS2225

Location

عقيربات, Akeirbat, Hama, Syria
Three or four civilians were killed - three from one family - and others were wounded, when an airstrike hit a residential neighbourhood, farm and water tank in Akeirbat, local media reported. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. Some sources such as Baladi news, blamed Russian warplanes for the airstrikes, while the…

Summary

Published
11 May 2017
Infrastructure
Water (Water tank), Agriculture
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

11 May 2017

Incident Code

RS2223

Location

التح, Al-Tah, Idlib, Syria
Three children were injured when the remnants of a cluster bomb exploded in Al-Tah, local media said. Sources reported that the cluster bomb was left from a previous Russian airstrike. There are no more details at this time.

Summary

Published
11 May 2017
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

10 May 2017

Incident Code

RS2220

Location

شعيب الذكر, Shua'ib Al Zikr, Raqqa, Syria
A single source reported that Russian warplanes allegedly targeted Shua'ib Al Zikr with cluster bombs, killing five civilians and injuring nine. According to Smart, the vicinity was under the control of ISIS. There are no other details at this time.  

Summary

Published
10 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
9
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

10 May 2017

Incident Code

RS2221

Location

سمومة, Samouma, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Between 11 and 14 civilians were killed - from two families - and others were wounded, following an airstrike on Samouma, Aleppo, according to local media. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame for the strikes. Some sources attributed blame to the Syrian regime, including the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, however most blamed…

Summary

Published
10 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
11–14
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

10 May 2017

Incident Code

RS2222

Location

دير الزور, Deir Ezzor, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between one and five people died - indulging one adult male - following an airstrike on Dier Ezzor. Others were also wounded, however there were no specific numbers reported. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. Some attributed blame to the Syrian regime, however most blamed Russia. DeirEzzor24 was the only source to…

Summary

Published
10 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–5
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

9 May 2017

Incident Code

RS2218

Location

Rasim Al Faleh, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Between two and 32 civilians were killed - including women and children - and dozens were injured, in an airstrike on Rasim Al Faleh, Aleppo, according to local media. All sources blamed Russian warplanes for he raids. Sources were conflicted as to how many civilians were killed in the strikes. Almost all sources reported that 16…

Summary

Published
9 May 2017
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
2–32
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident