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

2 November 2017

Incident Codes

CS1663 RS2674

Location

باغوز, Al Baghouz, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Four or more civilians died in an airstrike on al Baghouz, according to local media. While most sources pointed towards the Coalition, one said that it was unclear whether Russia had been responsible. The US-led alliance later admitted killing five civilians in the event. According to Al Hal, “Coalition forces also raided al-Bagouz village in…

Summary

Published
2 November 2017
Civilians reported killed
5–6
Civilians reported injured
20
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

2 November 2017

Incident Codes

CS1658 RS2669

Location

السكرية, Al Sukkariya, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Four civilians – two women and two girls – died in an airstrike on the residential neighbourhood of al Sukkariya, local media reported. It was unclear who was responsible, though one source attributed the event to Russia. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “four citizen women including two girls were killed as a…

Summary

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

Incident Date

2 November 2017

Incident Codes

CS1659 RS2670

Location

السيال, Al Sayyal, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Several civilians – including a woman and a child – reportedly died in an airstrike on al Sayyal, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of the US-led Coalition or Russia. Al Hall pointed towards the Coalition, putting the death toll at two with nine more…

Summary

Published
2 November 2017
Civilians reported killed
2–3
Civilians reported injured
9
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

2 November 2017

Incident Codes

CS1660 RS2671

Location

الصالحية, Al Salhiya, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Up to 23 civilians, reportedly including two families, died and “a large number” more were injured in airstrikes on al Salhiya in Deir Ezzor, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of the US-led Coalition, Russia or the Syrian regime. Euphrates Post reported “21 martyrs and…

Summary

Published
2 November 2017
Civilians reported killed
10–23
Civilians reported injured
10
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

2 November 2017

Incident Codes

CS1661 RS2672

Location

هجين, Hajeen - al Zir area, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One man died and his child was wounded in a casualty event in the al Zir area in Hajeen town, local media reported – though it was unclear whether the casualties were caused by an airstrike or a rocket. Additionally, sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of the US-led Coalition or…

Summary

Published
2 November 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

2 November 2017

Incident Codes

CS1662 RS2673

Location

المراشدة, Al Mrashda river crossing, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Up to five civilians died in an airstrike on the al Mrashda river crossing in Deir Ezzor, local media said – though sources were conflicted as to whether the US-led Coalition, Syrian regime or Russia were responsible. According to Al Hall, the Coalition “targeted the water crossing in the town of Al Mrashda in rural…

Summary

Published
2 November 2017
Civilians reported killed
4–5
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident