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

4 November 2017

Incident Code

RS2678

Location

البوكمال, Abo Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A civilian was killed and many more were wounded following an alleged Russian raid on Abu Kamal, according to local media. Sources all blamed Russia for the strikes. Al Mayadeen News reported that "The Russian Defense Ministry announced that a group of aircraft "To-22 M3" of the Russian air force struck the sites of the…

Summary

Published
4 November 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

4 November 2017

Incident Code

RS2679

Location

الباغوز, Al-Baghoz, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between two and six civilians were killed, and some others were wounded, following airstrikes on Al-Baghoz. Local media blamed both the Iraqi Army and Russia - but it is unclear who was to blame. An entire family of six were allegedly killed in the raid. Smart Mews reported that "aircraft likely to be Russian launched…

Summary

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

Incident Date

4 November 2017

Incident Code

RS2680

Location

كفر سجنة, Kafr Sajneh, Idlib, Syria
Four children were killed, including triplets, in an explosion which allegedly was the result of remnants from a cluster bomb from a previous Russian raid, according to local media. Sources mostly blamed Russia, however Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed the "Syrian-Russian alliance". Local media reported that "Three children were killed in the agricultural land…

Summary

Published
4 November 2017
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

4 November 2017

Incident Code

RS2677

Location

ابو حية, Abo Hayya, Hama, Syria
A 15-year-old boy was killed, and five civilians were wounded, following alleged Russian airstrikes on Abo Hayya, according to local media. All sources blamed Russian warplanes. Alaraby specified that "Russian warplanes launched seven raids on the village of Al-Rihan and shelled the village of Abu Hayya in al-Hamra district in the eastern province's countryside, killing…

Summary

Published
4 November 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

3–4 November, 2017

Incident Code

RS2676

Location

الجلاء, Al-Jalaa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Six to seven civilians were killed - including three children and a woman - following airstrikes on Al-Jalaa, according to local media. Some sources blamed Russia, while the other did not attribute blame. Four out of the six civilians killed were reportedly from one family, however, Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that "6 civilians…

Summary

Published
4 November 2017
Civilians reported killed
6–7
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

3 November 2017

Incident Code

RS2675

Location

السويعة, Suw'eiya, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Six civilians from one family were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes which struck the village of Al-Suwayea, according to local media. Sources all blamed Russian warplanes for the raids. The victims were named, and according to media, "dozens" of civilians were wounded. Bukmalna, who named the victims, reported that "the flight targeted a civilian house".…

Summary

Published
3 November 2017
Civilians reported killed
6
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident