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

26 November 2017

Incident Codes

CS1684 RS2764

Location

درنج, Daranj, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Five civilians died in an airstrike on Daranj, according to local media, though it was unclear who was responsible, with sources blaming the Coalition, the Syrian regime and one pointing towards Russia. A number of other sources didn’t apportion blame. Euphrates Post and Deir Ezzor named five victims as killed by unidentified “warplanes”: Rami Assaf,…

Summary

Published
26 November 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

25 November 2017

Incident Code

RS2759

Location

المشهد, al-Marshad, Idlib, Syria
In this single-source event, Step News Agency reported that an alleged Russian warplane had carried out an airstrike in al-Mashhad, the southern eastern Idlib countryside, resulting in the injury of "a number of civilians." As of now, no further information is available.

Summary

Published
25 November 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

25 November 2017

Incident Code

RS2762

Location

السيال, al-Sayyal, Deir Ezzor, Syria
According to local sources, at least 11 but and as many as 21 civilians, including 12 children and three women, were killed as alleged Russian warplanes carried out airstrikes on a camp for displaced people in al-Sayyal, Deir Ezzor. The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SN4HR) reported that "suspected Russian warplanes fired missiles on gathering…

Summary

Published
25 November 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Residential, IDP or Refugee Camp
Civilians reported killed
11–21
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

25 November 2017

Incident Code

RS2760

Location

هجين, Hajeen, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Possible Russian warplanes struck the city of Hajeen, Deir Ezzor, killing at least one civilian, local media reported. MasarPress, who blamed Russian warplanes, reported how Hajeen village and the crossing of the village of Abbas al-Nahari east of Deir al-Zour were struck by several raids, killing a total of four civilians. The report did not,…

Summary

Published
25 November 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1–4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

25 November 2017

Incident Code

RS2761

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria
An unspecified number of civilians were injured in airstrikes which struck a camp for displaced people in Khan Sheikhoun, local media reported. Sources all attributed blame to the Russia. Sources have reported that rockets were fired onto the vicinity. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

Published
25 November 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

25 November 2017

Incident Code

RS2763

Location

مسرابا, Masraba, Damascus, Syria
In what has been described as a massacre, between seven and 34 civilians were killed and as many as 80 were wounded in airstrikes on Masraba, according to local media. Sources attributed the blame to both Russia and the Syrian regime. One source reported that as many as 15 children were killed. Another put the…

Summary

Published
25 November 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
7–34
Civilians reported injured
12–80
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident