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 March 2017

Incident Code

RS1943

Location

السلوم, Al Saloum, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
A number of civilians were wounded in an alleged Russian cluster bomb strike on Al Saloum, Aleppo. All sources either blamed Russian warplanes or did not attribute any blame to a belligerent. Additionally, no reports of deaths were made. Smart News reported that there was widespread destruction to residential homes in the aftermath of the raid…

Summary

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

Incident Date

9 March 2017

Incident Code

RS1947

Location

الميادين, Al Mayadeen, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between seven and 30 civilians were killed, and as many as 100 were estimated to be injured, following an alleged airstrike on an educational complex. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. Almost all sources attributed blame to the Russian warplanes, whilst the Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed the Syrian regime. Enabbaladi only…

Summary

Published
9 March 2017
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
7–30
Civilians reported injured
12–100
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

9 March 2017

Incident Code

RS1944

Location

حماده عمر, Hamada Omar, Hama, Syria
Seven civilians were killed, including a child and three women, and 13 were injured, following an alleged Russian airstrike which struck a camp for displaced peoples in the vicinity of Hamada Omar village, local media reported. Both sources blamed Russian warplanes for the alleged raid. According to Smart, the vicinity was under the control of ISIS…

Summary

Published
9 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
7
Civilians reported injured
13
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

8 March 2017

Incident Codes

CS559 RS1939

Location

البوراشد, Albu Rashed, Raqqa, Syria
In a major incident, up to 24 civilians reportedly died and 20 others were injured when an aircraft allegedly struck a vehicle just outside Al bu Rashed. Most of those killed were said to be children and women. All source blamed the Coalition, except one, which said that this was the work of Russia. Step…

Summary

Published
8 March 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Vehicle (Car)
Civilians reported killed
14–24
Civilians reported injured
20
Military actors reported killed
6
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

7 March 2017

Incident Code

RS1937

Location

العطشانة, Al'Atshana, Maskanah, Hama, Syria
Local media reported that airstrikes, carried out by either Russia or the Syrian regime, killed two children and two women and wounded several others as the village of al-Atashana near Hama was struck. Raqqa Post reported that the four victims were from the Eid al-Ramdan family. Sources were, however, unclear as to whether Russia or the…

Summary

Published
7 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

7 March 2017

Incident Code

RS1938

Location

مسكنة, Maskanah, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Between 10 and 13 civilians, including children, were killed and up to another nine were wounded as airstrikes on Maskanah, Aleppo, local sources reported - though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. Sources reported between 10 and 13 civilian casualties, however, most said there had…

Summary

Published
7 March 2017
Civilians reported killed
10–13
Civilians reported injured
2–9
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident