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

9 November 2017

Incident Code

RS2709

Location

Ma'ar Shoreen, Idlib, Syria
Civilians and members of the Civil Defence were injured due to airstrikes which struck  the village of Ma'ar Shoreen. Sources blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime. Witnesses told Smart News Agency that "that five raids by aircraft likely to be Russian, on civilian homes in the village, wounded two civilians and damaged property." Ambulances…

Summary

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

Incident Date

9 November 2017

Incident Code

RS2710

Location

هجين, Hajeen, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A man and his daughter were killed in airstrikes which "targeted residential areas" in Hajeen. Two out of three sources blamed Russian airstrikes, and the third source reported that "warplanes" were to blame. Some civilians were also reportedly wounded. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

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

Incident Date

8 November 2017

Incident Codes

CS1668 RS2705

Location

حريزة, Harizah, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Up to seven civilians died in an airstrike on the village of Harizah, local media said – though they were unclear whether the Coalition or Russia were to blame. The US-led alliance reported no strikes in Syria that day. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “six civilians died in a bombing on the…

Summary

Published
8 November 2017
Civilians reported killed
4–7
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

8 November 2017

Incident Codes

CS1669 RS2706

Location

Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Three civilians including one woman died in an airstrike on Abu Kamal, according to local media. Sources mostly attributed the blame to the Coalition, however most reports published during from this period reported Russian and Syrian regime raids. The Centcom Daily Summary reported there were no Coalition strikes in Syrian or Iraq on November 8th…

Summary

Published
8 November 2017
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

8 November 2017

Incident Code

RS2707

Location

القورية, Al-Qourya, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A father and son were killed following an airstrike on the river crossing at Al-Qourya. Members of their family were also allegedly injured in the strike. Sources were conflicted as to who was responsible. Euphrates Post blamed Russian warplanes for the strikes, however Smart News Agency reported that the Syrian regime was culpable for the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

8 November 2017

Incident Code

RS2708

Location

رملة, Ramla, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Several civilians were wounded in airstrikes at various locations in Aleppo including the villages of Al-Sayyala, Maizliya and Ramla and other areas in the southern countryside of Aleppo. Sources blamed both the Syrian regime and Russia. Smart News Agency - who reported Russia as culpable for the raids - was the only source to report…

Summary

Published
9 November 2017
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident