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

3 February 2017

Incident Code

RS1870

Location

ميادين, Al-Mayadeen, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Up to seven civilians were killed and 28 injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on Al-Mayadeen, in the countryside of Deir Ezzor, according to local media. The source Sharqiya Voice reported: "Russian MOD says that five planes targeted IS positions in al Mayadeen. The Sharqiya correspondent confirmed that the areas targeted were civilian with no…

Summary

Published
3 February 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–7
Civilians reported injured
6–28
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

2 February 2017

Incident Code

RS1869

Location

حي القابون, Al Qaboun neighbourhood, Damascus, Syria
Up to three civilians were reportedly killed and 16 more injured in an airstrike on al Qaboun, Damascus, according to local media - though it is unclear whether Assad's regime or Russia were responsible. Geroun News who put the death toll at one and 15 injured, reported that: "Russian fighter jets launched four air raids…

Summary

Published
2 February 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–3
Civilians reported injured
12–16
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

1 February 2017

Incident Codes

CS470 RS1868

Location

إدلب, Idlib, Idlib, Syria
A reported Coalition, or possibly Russian, airstrike which hit a Syrian Red Crescent hospital in Idlib injured up to a dozen civilians. The Coalition later denied involvement, though a unilateral US action remained possible. The intended target of the dawn strike appeared to be the militant gropup Fatah al Sham at a base at the…

Summary

Published
1 February 2017
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported injured
5–12
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

31 January 2017

Incident Codes

CS468 RS1867

Location

صبيخان, Sbeikhan, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A civilian guard was killed in an air raid on an asphalt plant or nearby oil facility by unidentified aircraft. The Coalition has confirmed striking oil installations in the area that day, although some sources blamed Russia. According to multiple reports at least two civilians were also injured in the incident. Asharqiya reported, Mr al…

Summary

Published
31 January 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

30 January 2017

Incident Code

RS1866

Location

الأول ريف المهندسينكفرجوم, Kafr Joum, Al Muhandissin Al wwal countryside, Aleppo, Syria
A mother and her six children were killed in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike “massacre” in the countryside of western Aleppo, according to sources on the ground. The noon raid struck three houses in the region controlled by opposition forces. It is currently home to displaced residents from the southern area of the…

Summary

Published
30 January 2017
Civilians reported killed
4–7
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

30 January 2017

Incident Code

RS1865

Location

قصر البريج, Qasr al Bureij village, south east al Bab, Aleppo, Syria
Four civilians from one family died and three more were injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on Qasr al Bureij village, south east al Bab, according to multiple local sources. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, "four civilians, including two children and a woman, died in suspected Russian warplanes".

Summary

Published
30 January 2017
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident