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

9 May 2017

Incident Code

RS2219

Location

Al Latoum, Homs, Syria
Between five and nine civilians were killed, and "dozens" were wounded, following an airstrike in Al Latoum, according to local media. Sources all attributed blame to Russian warplanes, with the exception of the Syrian Network for Human Rights who blamed the "Syrian-Russian alliance". Sources reported that huge fires broke out and many people became displaced…

Summary

Published
9 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
5–9
Civilians reported injured
4–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

9 May 2017

Incident Code

RS2216

Location

Al A'ridi, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between five and six civilians were killed, and others were wounded, following an airstrike on the residential neighbourhood of Al A'ridi, local media reported. Sources all agreed that Russian warplanes were to blame for the raids. According to @Huthaifamu94, this was the third massacre which had occurred in Deir Ezzor on the 9th of May 2017.  Although the…

Summary

Published
9 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
5–6
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

9 May 2017

Incident Code

RS2217

Location

Hamidiya, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One adult male and as many as five children was killed, in airstrikes on the residential neighbourhood of Hamidiya. Up to four civilians were also wounded. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, with some attributing blame to Russia, while others blamed the Syrain regime. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the…

Summary

Published
9 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–6
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

8 May 2017

Incident Codes

CS782 RS2213

Location

دبسي عفنان, Dibsi Afnan, Raqqa, Syria
Two adult male civilians died - as well as one additional child casualty - and up to a dozen or more were wounded in an airstrike on the village of Dibsi Afnan, according to local media. Most sources blame Russia, while some alleged that the regime was responsible – though more than three commentators also…

Summary

Published
8 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
2–3
Civilians reported injured
3–24
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

8 May 2017

Incident Codes

CS783 RS2214

Location

دبسي فرج, Dibsi Faraj, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian died and four more were wounded in an airstrike on Dibsi Faraj village, local sources said – though reports were conflicted as to whether the Coalition, Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. The journalist Ahmad al Shibl reported the Coalition had been “targeting the main road between Dibsi Faraj and Dibsi…

Summary

Published
8 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
4
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

8 May 2017

Incident Code

RS2215

Location

كفر زيتا, Kafr Zita, Hama, Syria
A young man was killed in Kafr Zita, however there is confusion as to how he died. VDC reported that he was victim of Russian troops, and they listed him as from Kafr Zita, but do not specify where he was killed.  There are no reports of others civilian casualties or wounded. Other sources reported that he…

Summary

Published
8 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
0–1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident