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 November 2017

Incident Code

RS2758

Location

مخيم سوق الرفاعي, Souh Al Rifa’i camp , Deir Ezzor, Syria
In this incident, described by some as a "massacre", up to 37 civilians, including children, women, and entire families were killed and dozens were wounded as Russia or the Assad regime carried out aerial shelling of Souh Al Rifa’i camp for displaced people in Deir Ezzor, local media reported. The local reports differed to a…

Summary

Published
24 November 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
21–37
Civilians reported injured
10–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

24 November 2017

Incident Code

RS2757

Location

هجين, Hajeen, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One named civilian was killed by airstrikes striking in the Al-Abbas river crossing, Hajeen, Deir Ezzor, several media reported, though no-one identified the culprit. The victim was identified by name and photo by multiple sources, though no further information about the strike was provided. However, the same victim, Haj Abdul Karim al-Aran (al-Jameel), was also reported killed…

Summary

Published
24 November 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

23 November 2017

Incident Code

RS2753

Location

الجرذي, al-Jarthi, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Up to five civilians including one child and three women were killed and many were left wounded as Russian or Syrian regime warplanes struck al-Jarthi, Deir Ezzor, Syria on November 23, 2017 possibly supplemented by artillery shelling, local media reported. Reports spanned from three to five civilian fatalities. The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SN4HR)…

Summary

Published
23 November 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
4–5
Civilians reported injured
5–10
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

23 November 2017

Incident Code

RS2754

Location

حسرات, Hasrat, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In what was described as a "massacre", alleged Russian airstrikes killed least 14 but as many as 18 civilians, including at least two girls, many from the same families, and wounded dozens of others as the town of Hasrat, Deir Ezzor, was struck on November 23, 2017, local media reported. Euphrates Post reported that "a…

Summary

Published
23 November 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
14–18
Civilians reported injured
20
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

23 November 2017

Incident Code

RS2755

Location

الباغوز, Al-Baghouz, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Three civilians were killed by airstrikes, possibly supplemented by artillery shelling, in Al-Baghouz, Deir Ezzor, local media reported, though the apportion of blame was unclear. While all reports agreed that three civilians were killed in this event, they disagreed in terms of cause and responsibility. While Step News Agency, Violations Documentation Center Syria and Masar Press…

Summary

Published
23 November 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

23 November 2017

Incident Code

RS2756

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria
At least one civilian was wounded as alleged Russian warplanes carried out airstrikes in Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, local media reported. According to Smart News Agency and Fresh News, both citing sources on the ground, the warplanes launched four airstrikes, striking the headquarters of "Al Ezza Army" which belongs to the Free Syrian Army. While both reported that…

Summary

Published
23 November 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident