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

27 January 2017

Incident Codes

TS065 RS1858

Location

جب مخزوم, Jeb Makhzoum, Aleppo , Aleppo, Syria
Seven civilians from one family were reportedly killed in alleged Turkish or Russian airstrikes or artillery shelling on Jeb Makhzoum near Al Arima. The Syrian Obseratory for Human Rights said it "learned that a man was killed along with his wife and five of their children who are under the age of eighteen. They were…

Summary

Published
27 January 2017
Civilians reported killed
7
Civilians reported injured
2–5
Military Actor
Russian Military, Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26 January 2017

Incident Codes

TS063 RS1856

Location

مدينة الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Between four and 10 civilians died, including two children and two women, and up to a another dozen were wounded in air and/or artillery strikes on Al Bab, local media reported. It was unclear who the culprit was - with allegations against Turkey and Russia. Moreover, one report added that regime helicopters were also active…

Summary

Published
26 January 2017
Civilians reported killed
4–10
Civilians reported injured
6–12
Military Actor
Russian Military, Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26 January 2017

Incident Code

RS1857

Location

حوايج بومصعة, Hawaij Bu Mas'a, Deir Ezzor, Syria
An unspecific number of civilians were wounded following an alleged Russian raid on Hawaij Bu Mas'a. There are no reports of any civilian deaths. Additionally, all reporting blamed Russia for the strikes. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

Published
26 January 2017
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

25 January 2017

Incident Code

RS1855

Location

حي العمال, Oummal neighbourhood, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Eight civilians were killed - including an entire family of seven - and dozens more were injured following an alleged Russian airstrike on Oummal neighbourhood, local media reported. All sources reported that Russia was to blame for the strike. A later source confirmed that the family of seven were found under the rubble three days after…

Summary

Published
25 January 2017
Civilians reported killed
7–8
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

24 January 2017

Incident Code

RS1852

Location

تدمر‎, Palmyra , Homs, Syria
An unspecific number of civilians were wounded - according to on the ground sources - following an alleged Russian raid on Palmyra . All sources blamed Russian warplanes for the raid. There are no reports of any civilians killed in the fire. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

Published
24 January 2017
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

24 January 2017

Incident Code

RS1853

Location

الصالحية, Al-Salhiya, Deir Ezzor, Syria
As many as 30 civilians were killed, and dozens more were wounded, in an airstrike which on cotton mill in Al-Salhiya, according to local media. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, with some blaming Russian forces, and others blaming the Syrian regime. One source reported that six Russian warplanes were sighted in the…

Summary

Published
24 January 2017
Civilians reported killed
21–30
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident