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

14 March 2017

Incident Code

RS1959

Location

صيدا, Saida town, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Multiple local sources reported that one woman died and several other civilians were wounded in an alleged Russia airstrike on Saida town. All sources that named a culprit identified Russia as the responsible party.

Summary

Published
14 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

14 March 2017

Incident Code

RS1960

Location

ديرحافر, Deir Hafer, Aleppo, Syria
An unspecified number of civilians died and were wounded in an alleged Russia or regime strike on Deir Hafer, according to local media. The Shaam News Network and LCCSY pointed to Russia, as did the Step News Agency who said that "several surface rockets" were used in the attack. However, Aljazeera reported that "Syrian regime planes…

Summary

Published
14 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

13 March 2017

Incident Code

RS1957

Location

ام المياذن, Um Almayathen, Daraa, Syria
One civilian was injured in an alleged air raid on the residential neighbourhood, Um Almayathen. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame for the strike, with some blaming Russian warplanes, and others the Syrian regime. There was allegedly huge widespread damage  to residential homes and buildings as a result of the strike. Missiles…

Summary

Published
13 March 2017
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

13 March 2017

Incident Code

RS1958

Location

الهبا, Al-Hiba, Homs, Syria
A single source reported that an elderly man and his grandson were killed, and one other civilian was injured, in an alleged Russian airstrike on Al-Hiba. A local source told Smart that the village was under the control of ISIS. The child was aged six. The injured civilian only suffered from mild wounds. There are no…

Summary

Published
13 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12 March 2017

Incident Code

RS1954

Location

درعا, Dara'a, Daraa, Syria
Two adult males were killed in an alleged airstrike on Dara'a, local media reported. Only one source, the Syrian Network for Human Rights, blamed the Syrian regime for the raid whilst the others all blamed Russian warplanes. One of the men killed was a doctor. He was known as the "father of the martyrs" as in August…

Summary

Published
12 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12 March 2017

Incident Code

RS1955

Location

عقيربات, Akeirbat, Hama, Syria
An unspecified number of civilians were wounded by alleged Russian airstrike in Akeirbat. One source named Russia as the belligerent responsible, and the other did not name a belligerent.  A local source, @tayyeal91aa, tweeted that there were more than 20 air raids in the vicinity, resulting in civilian injuries, in a bombing which reportedly targeted ISIS headquarters.…

Summary

Published
12 March 2017
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident