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

30 October 2017

Incident Codes

CS1652 RS2662

Location

السوسة, Al Soussa town, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A family of up to six civilians died in airstrikes on Al Soussa town, according to local media. While most sources said that Russia was to blame, two alleged that the Coalition was responsible. One other source pointed towards the Syrian regime. The majority of sources (Al Latamna Youth Gathering, Al Jisr, Baladi, Eldorar, Step…

Summary

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

Incident Date

29 October 2017

Incident Code

RS2661

Location

الحميدية, Hamidiya, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between seven and ten civilians were killed - including two children, a woman and two men, and "dozens" more were injured, following airstrikes on Hamidiya. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. Most blamed Russian warplanes, however one blamed the Syrian regime, and another reported that Russian and "other planes" bombed the vicinity.…

Summary

Published
29 October 2017
Civilians reported killed
7–10
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

28 October 2017

Incident Code

RS2660

Location

سنجار, Sanjar, Idlib, Syria
A father and son were both killed in a raid which struck their home in Sanjar, completely destroying it, according to local media. Sources all blamed Russian warplanes for the strikes, which allegedly occurred between midnight and 5am. Images published show a dead girl as well as a dead boy. Additionally, one source reported that…

Summary

Published
28 October 2017
Civilians reported killed
2–3
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

28 October 2017

Incident Code

RS2659

Location

البوكمال, Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria
An elderly man was reportedly killed following an airstrike on Abu Kamal at noon on October 28th. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. Most blamed Russian warplanes, however some did not attribute blame, while Syrian Network for Human Rights said that the Syrian regime was responsible. The strike reportedly "targeted the perimeter…

Summary

Published
28 October 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

27 October 2017

Incident Code

RS2658

Location

الصبحة, Sabha, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A brother and sister were killed, alongside two others, in an airstrike on Sabha, according to sources on the ground. Only one source placed the blame on Russia (Syrian Network for Human Rights), while the other sources blamed "shelling", without attributing blame. DeirEzzor24 reported that the victims were struck and killed "during their displacement to…

Summary

Published
27 October 2017
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

25 October 2017

Incident Code

RS2657

Location

مخيم الفكة, Al-Fakka camp, Idlib, Syria
Several civilians were wounded following alleged Russian airstrike on Al-Fakka camp, local media said. Sources all blamed Russian warplanes for the strikes. There were no reports of civilians deaths. Images showed material damage to tents and property. One local source, Syrian Reporter, said that the strikes were "intensive and continuous" - and blamed Russian occupation…

Summary

Published
25 October 2017
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident