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

15 October 2017

Incident Code

RS2639

Location

هجين, Hajeen, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Two adult males were reportedly killed when a river crossing in Hajeen was struck by Russian warplanes. Only one source blamed Russian warplanes for the raids, the rest did not attribute blame to a belligerent. Reporting suggests that Farid Mohiy al-Jijan died a few days later from, wounds he had sustained in the attack. There…

Summary

Published
15 October 2017
Civilians reported killed
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

14 October 2017

Incident Code

RS2634

Location

البوليل, al-Bouleil, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Two civilian brothers were reportedly killed and several other civilians wounded as alleged Russian warplanes struck al-Bouleil village east of Deir Ezzor, local media reported. The two victims were identified by name and photos by multiple sources, who all agreed that Russia was responsible. Abu Ayman al-Ali, an activist from the eastern village of Deir…

Summary

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

Incident Date

14 October 2017

Incident Code

RS2635

Location

بقرص, Baqras, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Airstrikes and/or artillery shelling killed one civilian man, local media reported, as the town of Baqras, Deir Ezzor, was subject to attack, though it was unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime was to blame. While several sources reported the death of one man identified by name, reports were conflicted in terms of who and what…

Summary

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

Incident Date

14 October 2017

Incident Code

RS2636

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria
In this single-source event, Idlib Media Center reported that several civilians were left wounded after alleged Russian warplanes had struck the city of Khan Sheikhoun with C8 missiles in the afternoon of October 14th, 2017. Currently, there are no further details.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

14 October 2017

Incident Code

RS2637

Location

كفرومة, Kafrouma, Idlib, Syria
As alleged Russian warplanes carried out airstrikes against a rebel-held headquarters in Kafrouma, Idlib, several civilians were left wounded, local media reported. Aawsat news cited Syrian activists who said that a Russian aircraft hit the headquarters of the "Faylaq Al Sham" of the Free Syrian Army, killing and wounding dozens in their ranks. This reporting…

Summary

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

Incident Date

12 October 2017

Incident Code

RS2632

Location

ذيبان, Dhiban, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Up to four civilians, including one woman, were killed and several more were wounded, following an airstrike and/or artillery attack on Dhiban, Deir Ezzor, local media reported - though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the regime were to blame. While some sources reported the death of two civilians, several sources reported a…

Summary

Published
12 October 2017
Civilians reported killed
2–4
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident