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

7 May 2017

Incident Code

RS2211

Location

الطيبة, Tayba, Homs, Syria
A single source reported that a child and two other civilians were killed, and two members of ISIS were wounded, following an airstrike on Tayba.  There are no other details at this time.

Summary

Published
7 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
0–2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

7 May 2017

Incident Code

RS2212

Location

الكناوية, Al-Kinawiya, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Twelve civilians were killed, and others were wounded, following an airstrike which targeted a residential neighbourhood in Al-Kinawiya, Aleppo, according to reports from the ground. All sources blamed Russian warplanes for the raid. According to sources, women and children were killed. Additionally, a local source, @majd12347651, reported that the civilians were internally displaced persons.  Homes were…

Summary

Published
7 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
12
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

5 May 2017

Incident Code

RS2208

Location

شنداخيان جنوبي, Shandakhiyat Janoubi, Homs, Syria
In this single-source event, an alleged Russian airstrike killed four civilians, including one woman, and seriously wounded another three in Shandakhiyat Janoubi, Homs, Smart News Agency reported. Smart News added that the wounded were taken to hospitals in Deir Ezzor, which at the time was controlled by ISIS. There are currently no further details available.

Summary

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

Incident Date

5 May 2017

Incident Code

RS2209

Location

الطيبة, al-Tayba, Homs, Syria
In this single source event, an aircraft "likely to be Russian", carried out airstrikes in the vicinity of al-Taybeh village, Homs, killing two civilians and wounded another three, Smart News Agency reported. There are currently no further details available.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

5 May 2017

Incident Code

RS2210

Location

مخيم اليرموك, Al Yarmouk Refugee Camp, Damascus, Syria
The bodies of 20 civilians, including women and children, were recovered in Yarmouk refugee camp south of Damascus who were allegedly killed in airstrikes on May 5th 2018. It is unclear who was responsible for the airstrikes. Smart News accused both the Syrian regime and Russian forces of the civilian harm. Masri News reported that…

Summary

Published
5 May 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
20–25
Civilians reported injured
5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

3 May 2017

Incident Code

RS2205

Location

سوحا, Doha, Hama, Syria
In this single-source event, an alleged Russian air raid killed one woman and wounded another three civilians as it struck the village of Soha, eastern Hama, the Smart News Agency reported. A local source told Smart News that "the warplanes launched missile attacks on the outskirts of the village of Suha in the peaceful area…

Summary

Published
3 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident