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

13 February 2017

Incident Code

RS1880

Location

تدمر, Palmyra, Homs, Syria
An unspecified number of civilians were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes against Palmyra in eastern Homs. Smart News Agency was the only source to report on this incident and identified Russian planes as responsible for carrying out the airstrikes.

Summary

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

Incident Date

13 February 2017

Incident Code

RS1882

Location

طريق السد, Al Sadd street, Daraa, Syria
Between three and 10 civilians, including two to three women and three to five children, were killed and at least 12 others were injured in alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes against the neighborhood of Al Sadd street in Dara'a, according to sources on the ground. Most of the victims of the airstrikes were from…

Summary

Published
13 February 2017
Civilians reported killed
3–10
Civilians reported injured
12
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

13 February 2017

Incident Code

RS1881

Location

صيدا, Saida, Daraa, Syria
At least one woman was killed in airstrikes against the town of Saida in the countryside of Dara'a. Local sources gave conflicting reports as to who was responsible for the airstrikes. Orient News reported that both the regime and Russia carried out airstrikes but did not determine which struck Saida. Other sources did give specific…

Summary

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

Incident Date

12 February 2017

Incident Code

RS1879

Location

حي الحميدية, Al Hamidiya, Deir Ezzor, Syria
At least two civilians were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes against the neighborhood of Al Hamidiya in Deir Ezzor. The consensus among local sources, including Deir Free, was that Russian planes were responsible for the airstrikes. Additional videos were posted that claimed to show the airstrikes and the aftermath but the videos have since been…

Summary

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

Incident Date

11 February 2017

Incident Code

RS1877

Location

ترملا, Tarmala, Idlib, Syria
Between one and 10 civilians were killed and up to 30 others were injured in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes against the village of Tarmala in the southern suburbs of Idlib, local media reported. It should be noted that it was widely reported that militants from Ahrar al Sham were killed in this strike -…

Summary

Published
11 February 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–10
Civilians reported injured
2–30
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

11 February 2017

Incident Code

RS1874

Location

تدمر, Palmyra, Homs, Syria
At least two civilians, one man and one woman, were killed and others were wounded in airstrikes on the town of Palmyra in the eastern Homs countryside. According to @journalhader and the Local Coordination Committee of Syria, the airstrikes were carried out by Russian warplanes. The two air raids reportedly struck the main square and…

Summary

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