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

17 January 2017

Incident Codes

CS447 TS053 RS1839

Location

تادف, Tadif, Aleppo, Syria
Up to thirteen civilians reportedly died in airstrikes at Tadef near al Bab, as heavy clashes continued with ISIL for control of the strategic city. Step News, Al Bab News, Syria News Desk and the Syrian Observatory blamed Turkey for the attack, while LCCSY said Russia was responsible. The Syrian Network instead said that “8…

Summary

Published
17 January 2017
Civilians reported killed
7–13
Civilians reported injured
30
Military Actor
Russian Military, Turkish Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

17 January 2017

Incident Code

RS1840

Location

بحي العمال, al Oummal neighbourhood, Deir Ezzor, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Up to 17 civilians including six children died in an airstrike on the al Oummal neighbourhood, Deir Ezzor, according to local media - though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. Deir Ezzor 24 was among a number of sources blaming the regime, reporting that "five civilians…

Summary

Published
17 January 2017
Civilians reported killed
10–17
Civilians reported injured
2–20
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 January 2017

Incident Code

RS1838

Location

البوكمال, Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A single source, the Violations Documentation Center reported on adult-male civilian killed by Russian forces in Abu Kamal. No further details are currently available.

Summary

Published
17 January 2017
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

16 January 2017

Incident Code

RS1836

Location

تلبيسة, Talbisah, Homs, Syria
Seven named civilians were killed and as many as dozens more were wounded in alleged Russian or Assad regime air and/or artillery strikes on Talbisah, according to sources on the ground. Sources were conflicted as to which party caused the civilian harm. There was also some confused reporting. For example, LCCSY initially blamed Russia but then…

Summary

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

Incident Date

16 January 2017

Incident Code

RS1837

Location

عنيق باجرة, Aneek Bajra village, Hama, Syria
Five or six civilians - a woman and her children - died in an alleged Russia or regime airstrike on Aneek Bajra village in eastern Hama, according to sources on the ground, The Syrian Network for Human Rights was among sources blaming the regime, reporting: "Six civilians (a woman and her five children) died when…

Summary

Published
16 January 2017
Civilians reported killed
5–6
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

15 January 2017

Incident Code

RS1833

Location

دكيلة, Dakila, Hama, Syria
A woman and a girl were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Dakila. All sources blamed Russian warplanes for the raid. There are no reports of wounded civilians. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

Published
15 January 2017
Civilians reported killed
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident