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

RS2203

Location

اوتايا, Otaya, Eastern Ghouta, Damascus, Syria
Several civilians were left wounded following air or artillery strikes  in Otaya, Eastern Ghouta, allegedly carried out by either Russia or the Syrian regime, local media reported. @damv011 reported that there had been "a number of wounded" in the strike(s), while several sources said that the raid injured a civilian defence officer. According to @ameraldmashqi, …

Summary

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

Incident Date

30 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2190

Location

السخنة, Al-Sokhna , Homs, Syria
A shepherd died and several other civilians were wounded in the an alleged Russian bombardment on Al-Sokhna in eastern Homs, Step News reported. It was among several airstrikes that hit the surrounded area.

Summary

Published
30 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

30 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2191

Location

عقيربات, Akeirbat, Hama, Syria
Five civilians, including two women and a child, were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes, local media reported. Bombs hit tents of displaced people on the outskirts of the town under Islamic State control, according to Smart News Agency. An additional four civilians were wounded, some critically.

Summary

Published
30 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

30 April 2017

Incident Codes

CS759 RS2192

Location

عويجل, Oweijal, Aleppo, Syria
Between 13 and 16 civilians died and four were injured in an “unexplained” explosion in the village of Oweijal, local media said – though it was unclear whether the Coalition, the Syrian regime or Russia were to blame. Most sources blamed the Syrian regime for the strikes. An unspecific numbers of civilians were wounded, however…

Summary

Published
30 April 2017
Civilians reported killed
13–16
Civilians reported injured
2–4
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

30 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2193

Location

النعيمة, Al Naima, Daraa, Syria
A mother and a child were killed by alleged Russian or Syrian regime strikes on the town of Al-Naima on April 30, 2017, according to local media. A number of raids were launched on the town over several days, local sources reported. A father, Rabi al-Aboud was left holding his dead child Mohamad Rabi (Rami)…

Summary

Published
30 April 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

29 April 2017

Incident Code

RS2189

Location

كفرزيتا, Kafr Zita, Hama, Syria
Up to nine civilians including eight members of the civil defense died in alleged Russian and Syrian regime airstrikes in an “unprecedented bombing campaign” on Kafr Zita, according to local media. Eight of the victims were killed in a strike on a civil defense shelter, including Hassan Hammoud Arfat, a paramedic and Ahmad Nayef al…

Summary

Published
29 April 2017
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
7–9
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident