Conflict

Russian Military in Syria

Incident Code

RS2640

Location

السعلو, Sa'lo, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.141173, 40.363297
Accuracy: Village

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: July 23, 2025

(Previous Incident Codes: R2480RS2639)

In a missile strike which allegedly hit a school in Sa’lo, between five and 11 civilians were killed, and ten civilians were injured, local media reported. Sources all blamed Russian warplanes for the alleged strikes, with only one source, The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), blaming unspecified airstrikes. 

Despite sources giving nine as the highest number of civilian deaths reported, there were 11 named civilian casualties from various sources, suggesting highs of 11 civilian deaths. Four of these were men, two women and two children.

Only one source specified how many people were injured, with most saying “some” or “others” were wounded. However, UNOCHA  reported that ten civilians were thought to have been injured. 

According to local media, the school was housing internally displaced people, most of them women and children. However, one source alleged that a school teacher was also killed in the raid, suggesting therefore that the building was possibly still used as a school.  

Euphrates Post announced that the town was “completely free of Daesh” when the vicinity was struck. 

Two sources reported that a “phosphorous bombardment” occurred.

 

Victims

Individuals

60 years old male killed
Adult female killed
40 years old killed
Adult male killed
40 years old male killed
Adult male a pharmacist killed
Child female killed
Adult female killed

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Fair
Civilians reported killed
5–11
1–2 Children, 2–3 Women, 4 Men
Civilians reported injured
10

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Sa’lo (السعلو), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.141173, 40.363297. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Military Statements

Russian Military Assessment
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Russian Military position on incident
Not yet assessed

Media From Sources (1)