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

15 January 2017

Incident Code

RS1834

Location

الحميدية, Al Hamidiya neighbourhood, Deir Ezzor, Deir Ezzor, Syria
As many as five civilians were killed - including a family of three - and others were injured in alleged shelling on Alhamediya. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. Some blamed the Syrian regime, while others blamed Russia. Multiple sources even attributed blame to both belligerents. It must be noted that multiple sources…

Summary

Published
15 January 2017
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

15 January 2017

Incident Code

RS1835

Location

اللابد موحسن, Al-Labed, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between four and 24 people were killed in an airstrike on Al-Labed, local media reported. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, with some attributing blame to the Syrian regime, and others pointing to Russian warplanes. Most sources reported that seven civilians were killed, however some later reports vaguely suggested that as many as…

Summary

Published
15 January 2017
Civilians reported killed
4–24
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

14 January 2017

Incident Code

RS1832

Location

معرة مصرين, Ma'arat Misrin, Idlib, Syria
Between seven and 11 civilians including two children and a woman were killed, and as many as 25 more were wounded, in an airstrike which targeted a market in Ma'arat Misrin early morning on Saturday 14th January, according to sources on the ground. Two children and a woman were also included in the death toll according…

Summary

Published
14 January 2017
Civilians reported killed
7–11
Civilians reported injured
10–25
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

13 January 2017

Incident Codes

TS048 CS443 RS1828

Location

تادف, Tadef, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
Between two and 12 civilians were killed, and as many as 22 were wounded, in an air and artillery strike which hit the Daesh controlled area of Tadef, Aleppo. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, with two sources blaming the International US led Coalition, two blaming Syrian regime helicopters, and many more…

Summary

Published
13 January 2017
Civilians reported killed
2–12
Civilians reported injured
17–22
Military Actor
Russian Military, Turkish Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

13 January 2017

Incident Code

RS1829

Location

دار الكبيرة, Dar Al-Kabira, Idlib, Syria
One or two civilians were killed and as many as 18 were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Dar Al-Kabira, local media reported. All sources blamed Russian warplanes for the raids.  Some sources reported that there was partial damage to Al Dal Al Kabera Primary School. ZaitonMagazine said there were altogether three raids on…

Summary

Published
13 January 2017
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
5–18
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

13 January 2017

Incident Code

RS1830

Location

اورم الجوز, Orm Al Joz, Idlib, Syria
Six civilians were killed - mostly from the same family - and some were injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on Orm Al Joz, local media said. All sources reported that Russian missiles and rockets were to blame for the raid. As many as two female children and two women were reportedly killed in the raid.…

Summary

Published
13 January 2017
Civilians reported killed
3–6
Civilians reported injured
2–5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident