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

10 October 2017

Incident Code

RS2621

Location

صبيخان, Sabikhan, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Up to two civilians were killed and several were left wounded following alleged Russain airstrikes on a water-crossing in Sabikahn, Deir Ezzor, local media reported. Several sources reported that Russian-waged missiles had struck an "airfield waterway" or a "water-crossing", reportedly to hinder the escape of people in the village, who were fleeing by boat, as…

Summary

Published
10 October 2017
Civilians reported killed
0–2
Civilians reported injured
0–2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

10 October 2017

Incident Code

RS2622

Location

الحسينية, Al-Husayniya, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Up to three civilians, including two female children, were killed and several were left wounded following airstrikes striking the village of Al-Husayniya, Deir Ezzor, local media reported, though it was unclear who carried out the strikes. Several sources reported the death of two children. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported "two female children were…

Summary

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

Incident Date

9 October 2017

Incident Code

RS2618

Location

الطيانة, Al-Tayaneh, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One child was reportedly killed by airstrikes on the town of Al-Tayaneh, Deir Ezzor, local media reported, though it was unclear who was to blame. Activists on the ground told Smart News Agency that "the aircraft bombarded a crossing on the Euphrates River in the town of al Tayana connecting the eastern and western banks,…

Summary

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

Incident Date

9 October 2017

Incident Code

RS2617

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between two and five civilians were left wounded following alleged Russian airstrikes in the city of Khan Sheikhoun, Deir Ezzor, local media reported. While the reports varied from two to five wounded, all sources, who identified a culprit, agreed that Russian was responsible. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported: "Two warplanes carried out strikes…

Summary

Published
9 October 2017
Civilians reported injured
2–5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

8 October 2017

Incident Codes

CI865 RS2613

Location

Al Qaim, Al Anbar, Iraq
According to many reported, two brothers were killed in Al Qaim, Iraq or al Hari in Syria, near the Iraqi border on October 8, 2017. Reports were contested: one source implied that Iraqi aircraft may have been responsible, while a number of sources identified Russia as the culprit, one source attributed the attack to the…

Summary

Published
8 October 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

8 October 2017

Incident Code

RS2616

Location

القورية, Al-Qourya, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Five civilians, including one child and one woman, were reportedly killed and several others wounded in alleged Russian strikes on city of Al-Qourya, Deir Ezzor, according to sources on the ground. The strikes reportedly killed two adult brothers and another male family member, as well as a mother and her child, while the father was…

Summary

Published
8 October 2017
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident