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

24 January 2017

Incident Code

RS1854

Location

موحسن, Muhassan, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Three named civilians died in an alleged Russia or regime airstrike on Muhassan, according to local media. Orient news reported: "Russian warplanes on Tuesday [Jan 24th] targeted the town of Mohsin in the eastern suburb of Deir al-Zour, resulting in civilian casualties:  a martyr and wounded. "According to Deir Ezzor 24, Russian aircraft launched intensive air…

Summary

Published
24 January 2017
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

23 January 2017

Incident Code

RS1848

Location

المهدوم, Al Mahdoum, Aleppo, Syria
An unspecified number of civilians were wounded in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on a clinic in Al Mahdoum, according to local media. Syrianewsdesk reported: "The Russian warplanes aimed two rockets at the town of Al Mahdoum, under the control of the ISIS in the eastern countryside of Aleppo, injuring civilians and striking the only…

Summary

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

Incident Date

23 January 2017

Incident Codes

TS058 RS1849

Location

تادف, Tadef, Aleppo, Syria
LCCSY reported that there were "15 martyrs in Aleppo killed in clashes with SDF and in Russian raids on Tadef and Turkish shelling on al Bab " According to Al Baba 24, "the town today [Jan 23rd] suffered a Russian air raid which killed a woman and two children from Obeid family". However, Syria News…

Summary

Published
23 January 2017
Civilians reported killed
6–10
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

23 January 2017

Incident Code

RS1850

Location

قصر البريج, Qasr al Boureij village, south east al Bab, Aleppo, Syria
Between six and 11 civilians died in an airstrike on a school holding displaced people in Qasr al Boureij village, according to local media. Most sources blamed barrel bombing by the regime, though there were also several allegations against Russia. Eldorar said: "According to local media sources a regime helicopter targeted a   school sheltering displaced…

Summary

Published
23 January 2017
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
6–11
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

23 January 2017

Incident Code

RS1851

Location

ديرالزور, Deir Ezzor city, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between three and five civilians including up two women and two men (from one family, according to some sources) were reportedly killed in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on Deir Ezzor. According to Euphrates Post, "Russian warplane raids targeted al Takaya street, andal Ardi and the al Hamidiya neighbourhoods, which led to the…

Summary

Published
23 January 2017
Civilians reported killed
3–5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

23 January 2017

Incident Code

RS1847

Location

قحطان, Kahtan, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Three civilians from the same family were killed when an alleged Russian raid struck civilian homes near a hospital in Kahtan. Only one on the ground source - Euphrates Post -  reported on this incident, and it blamed Russian warplanes. It alleged that the homes near Kahtan hospital were struck which led to the collapse of an…

Summary

Published
23 January 2017
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident