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

1 May 2017

Incident Code

RS2195

Location

جبل ابو الظهور, Abo Al Zohour mountain, Idlib, Syria
In this single-source event, Smart News Agency reported that airstrikes, likely to be Russian, hit the mountain of Abu al Dhouhour in Idlib, wounding six civilians, including children and women. There is currently no further information available.

Summary

Published
1 May 2017
Civilians reported injured
6
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

1 May 2017

Incident Code

RS2196

Location

الطيبة, al-Tayba, Homs, Syria
In this single-source event, Smart News Agency reported that warplanes, likely to be Russian, carried out air raids "on the vicinity of the village of Taybeh (...), killing two civilians, wounding three others, in addition to the death of livestock." Currently, no further information is available.

Summary

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

Incident Date

1 May 2017

Incident Code

RS2199

Location

حمورية, Hamouriya, Damascus, Syria
Three civilians, a baby girl, her mother and a boy, were killed and dozens more civilians were wounded as Hamuriya, Damascus, was hit by airstrikes, local media reported. Though it was unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. Most sources reported the death of three civilians, namely a four-year-old baby girl, her…

Summary

Published
1 May 2017
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

1 May 2017

Incident Code

RS2201

Location

كفربطنا, Kafar Batna, Eastern Ghouta, Damascus, Syria
Alleged Russia or Syria warplanes carried out air raids in Kafar Batna, Eastern Ghouta, wounding several civilians, local media reported. Enab Baladi reported through the civil defence that "three guided missile strikes and a cluster missile targeted the towns of Kafar Batna and Saqba in conjunction with the bombing of the town of Hamuriya, which…

Summary

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

Incident Date

1 May 2017

Incident Code

RS2202

Location

حرستا, Harasta, Eastern Ghouta, Damascus, Syria
Shelling allegedly carried out by either the Syrian regime or Russia in Harasta, Eastern Ghouta, wounded several civilians, local media reported. Without identifying the responsible party, @mohamad_alshaar reported that the use of mortars injured civilians Al-Jazeera reported that joint Russian and regime-shelling had been carried out in several areas in Eastern Ghouta, killing several civilians,…

Summary

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

Incident Date

1 May 2017

Incident Code

RS2197

Location

مسراب, Masraba, Eastern Ghouta, Damascus, Syria
In this single-source event, Al Jazeera reported that joint Russian and Assad regime forces carried out aerial shelling in Masraba, Eastern Ghouta, possibly wounding several civilians. According to Al Jazeera, there were several casualties and "dozens" of wounded across several incidents around Eastern Ghouta on May 1st, but it gave no specific casualty figures for…

Summary

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