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

21 February 2017

Incident Code

RS1904

Location

حقل شاعر, Shaer oil field, Homs, Syria
A single source reported that Russian warplanes "launched missile strikes on Al Sha’er oil field, which resulted in the burning of three oil tankers, killing the driver and wounding two other riders". There are no other details at this time.

Summary

Published
21 February 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

21 February 2017

Incident Code

RS1907

Location

المشتل, Al-Mashtal, Homs, Syria
Two civilians were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Al-Mashtal, according to a single source. The Smart News Agency reported "... raids struck al-Mashtal neighborhood in the city of Palmyra, wounding two civilians and destroying houses in the area." 2baddi reported that the planes struck the mountain range adjacent to the archaeological fortress of Palmyra.…

Summary

Published
21 February 2017
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

21 February 2017

Incident Code

RS1905

Location

الصور, As Suwar, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between five and 46 civilians were killed, and up to 50 were wounded, in an airstrike on As Suwar which struck a market and coach station. Sources either blamed Russian warplanes for the raid, or did not attribute any blame at all, reporting that the planes were unidentifiable. Sources reported that not only was a…

Summary

Published
21 February 2017
Civilians reported killed
5–46
Civilians reported injured
30–50
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

20 February 2017

Incident Code

RS1903

Location

حي تشرينشارع الحافظ, al Hafez street, Tishreen neighbourhood, eastern Damascus, Damascus, Syria
In what was largely reported as a regime attack, seven civilians including up to two children and two women died in an airstrike on al Hafez street, in Damascus' Tishreen neighbourhood. On February 20th, the Step News Agency reported: "Assad's regime continued its military campaign on the eastern neighborhoods in the capital Damascus for the…

Summary

Published
20 February 2017
Civilians reported killed
7
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

20 February 2017

Incident Code

RS1902

Location

تدمر, Palmyra, Homs, Syria
A single source, the Smart News Agency, said: "Our reporter, quoting a local source, said that the warplanes likely belonging to Russia  struck the western district of the eastern city of Palmyra with a rocket killing of a civilian and wounding two members of IS". No further details are currently available.

Summary

Published
20 February 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

19 February 2017

Incident Code

RS1900

Location

نصيب, Nasib, Daraa, Syria
Up to seven civilians - of whom four were named - died and as many as eight others were wounded in an air or artillery strike on Nasib, according to local media. While most sources blamed Russia, there were also several allegations against the Assad regime. According to Ara, "Russian warplanes targeted the vicinity of…

Summary

Published
19 February 2017
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
4–7
Civilians reported injured
2–8
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident