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

5 November 2017

Incident Code

RS2686

Location

صبيخان, Sebikhan, Deir Ezzor, Syria
As many as three people were killed in shelling on a displaced persons camp and Mosque in Sebikhan in Sabikhan desert, according to local media. One source blamed the Syrian regime for the airstrikes, however the others blamed "renewed Russian shelling". Step News Agency reported that there were unspecified numbers of dead and wounded. Syrian…

Summary

Published
5 November 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1–3
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

5 November 2017

Incident Code

RS2682

Location

دوير, Dweir, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A woman and her three children were killed in an airstrike on Dweir, according to local media. Most sources blamed Russia for the strikes, however others reported it was a "military aircraft" - not attributing blame to a belligerent. The first source reported that only two children were killed, however a later source reported three…

Summary

Published
5 November 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

5–7 November, 2017

Incident Code

RS2688

Location

فيضة الجب, Faidat Al-Jib, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Six civilians, three women and three children, were reportedly killed and 13 others, including children, were wounded in airstrikes which struck an IDP camp in Faidat al-Jib. Sources blamed Russian warplanes, according to local media. Initial reporting suggested two had been killed - a mother and son. Later on local media reported that the toll…

Summary

Published
7 November 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Residential, IDP or Refugee Camp
Civilians reported killed
6
Civilians reported injured
13
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

5 November 2017

Incident Code

RS2683

Location

العباس, al Abbas river crossing, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A single source reported that Russian warplanes struck "Hajeen village and the crossing of the village of Abbas al-Nahari east of Deir al-Zour, [with] several raids, killing 4 civilians." There are no other details at this time.

Summary

Published
25 November 2017
Civilians reported killed
4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

5 November 2017

Incident Codes

CS1666a RS2687

Location

البوكمال, Abo Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria
As many as four civilians were killed in Russian airstrikes according to local media, as well as a report by the Russian Ministry of Defence. However, one source reported "We do not know whether the bombing is Russian or Coalition". Many other sources blamed the International Coalition for the strikes. Some sources blamed Iraqi airstrikes,…

Summary

Published
5 November 2017
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
20
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition, Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

5 November 2017

Incident Code

RS2684

Location

عشاير, Ashayer, Deir Ezzor, Syria
As many as four civilians were killed - including a man, his wife and daughter - in alleged Russian or Syrian regime raid strikes on Ashayer, according to local media. Some media reported that "warplanes" fired missiles - therefore not attributing blame to a belligerent. Syrian Network for Human Rights - who blamed the Syrian…

Summary

Published
5 November 2017
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident