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

19 February 2017

Incident Code

RS1901

Location

تل ماعز, Tal Maez, Aleppo, Syria
Between three and 13 civilians died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Tal Maez, according to sources on the ground. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, "four civilians, including two children and a woman, died when suspected Russian warplanes missiles fired on Tal al Mo’ez village in Aleppo governorate eastern suburbs, February 19,…

Summary

Published
19 February 2017
Civilians reported killed
3–13
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

19 February 2017

Incident Code

RS1899

Location

ام تينة, Umm Tine village, Maskana, Aleppo, Syria
Four victims (one adult male, one adult female and two children) were named by the VDC as killed by Russia in Umm Tine village, Maskana. But the Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed the regime, reporting: "three civilians, including a girl and her mother, died when Syrian regime artillery shells fired on Om Tena village…

Summary

Published
19 February 2017
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

18 February 2017

Incident Code

RS1896

Location

أم الكراميل, Umm al Karamil village, Aleppo, Syria
Local media reported that one civilian died in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on Umm al Karamil village. According to Sdusyria, "one civilian was killed and others were wounded by a Russian air strike on the village of Um al-Karamil in southern Aleppo." While most sources pointed to Russia, Aljazeera reported that regime actions had…

Summary

Published
18 January 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

18 February 2017

Incident Code

RS1897

Location

رسم حميدة, Rasim Hamida, Homs, Syria
Two civilians were reportedly killed and three wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on the ISIS controlled village of Rasim Hamida, in the eastern Homs countryside - though only one source has reported on the incident. Smart News, who attributed likely responsibility to Russia, cited a civilian source, who stated: "the warplanes targeted civilian houses with…

Summary

Published
18 February 2017
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

18 February 2017

Incident Code

RS1898

Location

اليادودة, al Yadouda, central countryside of Daraa, Daraa, Syria
Five named women - and possibly a girl - died in an alleged Russia or Assad regime air or artillery strike on al Yadouda in the central countryside of Daraa, according to local media. According to Orient News, "Russian aircraft targeted the town of Al-yadouda in the countryside of Daraa Gharbi with several air strikes,…

Summary

Published
18 February 2017
Civilians reported killed
5–6
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 February 2017

Incident Code

RS1895

Location

درعا البلد, Dara'a Al-Balad, Daraa, Syria
One civilian, Mohammed Nour - a reporter for Al Jazeera - was injured in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on Dara'a Al- Balad, according to multiple sources. Smart News reported that "aircraft likely to be Russian renewed raids on the neighbourhood of Daraa Al-Balad". Whilst most sources also pointed towards Russia as being responsible for…

Summary

Published
17 February 2017
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident