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

11 November 2017

Incident Code

RS2722

Location

السوسة, Soussa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Two sources reported that an airstrike struck the town of Sousse, Deir Ezzor, though there were only weak reports of civilian harm. Deir Ezzor is being exterminated tweeted that a "Massacre [was] committed by the Russian occupation aircraft against civilians in the town of Sousse, where the aircraft targeted Al-Sayer residential complex." Meanwhile, Justice for…

Summary

Published
11 November 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
0–2
Civilians reported injured
0–2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

11 November 2017

Incident Code

RS2724

Location

معبر الخنيفيس النهري, Al Knfeis river crossing, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One child was killed and others were wounded, including women and children, in airstrikes on Al Knfeis river crossing, local media reported. Sources attributed the blame to both Russian and Syrian regime warplanes. Many of the sources are carbon copies of one another and there are no other details at this time.

Summary

Published
11 November 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

10 November 2017

Incident Code

RS2713

Location

مخيم قصر علي, Qasir Ali Camp, Hama, Syria
An unspecifiied number of civilians were injured in airstrikes which struck Qasr Ali Camp in Al-Hamra district in the eastern suburb of Hama. Both sources blamed Russian warplanes for the strikes. There were no reports of civilian deaths. However, @7ama_east reported that "A Russian military bombardment targeting a camp near the village of Qasr Ali…

Summary

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

Incident Date

10 November 2017

Incident Code

RS2714

Location

السكرية, Sukkariya, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In what has been described as a "massacre" by local sources, 11 to 44 civilians were killed, and dozens more were wounded, by warplanes which struck a camp for displaced people in Sukkariya. All sources blamed Russian warplanes for the strikes. Most sources reported that civilians were killed, however Baladi News put the toll as…

Summary

Published
10 November 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
11–44
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

10 November 2017

Incident Codes

CS1670 RS2712

Location

Al Shafa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
It was locally reported that the following six civilians died in an airstrike on Al-Sha’afa water crossing. Most sources didn’t say who was responsible, referring to ‘raids’ and ‘bombing by aircraft.’. However, Khafafeesh al Zalam reported that Russia carried out raids on a nearby town on November 11th, killing two civilians.

Summary

Published
10 November 2017
Civilians reported killed
6
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

9 November 2017

Incident Code

RS2711

Location

الرهجان, Al-Rahjan, Hama, Syria
Twelve members of the militant group "Hayat Tahrir Al Sham" - also known as al-Qaeda - were reportedly killed in airstrikes on Al-Rahjan. A woman was also reportedly killed. Smart News Agency said that "warplanes are likely to be Russian bombed a vehicle belonging to the organisation  during the transfer of members to change shifts…

Summary

Published
9 November 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
0–2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident