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

8 October 2017

Incident Code

RS2614

Location

الميادين, al-Mayadeen, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One named civilian man was killed by alleged Russian airstrikes striking al-Mayadeen, Deir Ezzor, local media reported. Multiple sources, including the victim's son, Mamoun Ridawi, reported the death of the victim, Mohammed Hamoud al-Ridawi.  All the sources, who identified the culprit, attributed blame to Russia. Euphrates Post additionally reported that the Russian Ministry of Defense…

Summary

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

Incident Date

8 October 2017

Incident Code

RS2615

Location

العشارة, Al-Ashara, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Two civilians were reportedly killed in alleged Russia or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Al-Ashara, Deir Ezzor, local media reported. Only one source, Sharqiya Voice, reported the death of two civilians, while the remaining sources merely reported about aerial bombardment, which @Deirfree called "hysterical" . One source, @obaidahalabdull, attributed blame to the Assad regime while @Deirfree…

Summary

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

Incident Date

7 October 2017

Incident Code

RS2610

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Deir Ezzor, Syria
At least five and as many as 13 civilians, including children and women, were killed and between six and eight were left wounded following alleged Assad or Russian-waged airstrikes on residential areas in Khan Sheikhoun, Deir Ezzor, local sources reported. Most sources reported the death of five civilians. However, a total of seven victims were identified…

Summary

Published
7 October 2017
Civilians reported killed
5–13
Civilians reported injured
6–8
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

7 October 2017

Incident Code

RS2607

Location

معبر في الميادين, Crossing in the al Mayadeen area, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In this single-source event, one civilian man was reported killed by alleged Russian airstrikes in the crossing in the Al Mayadeen area of Deir Ezzor, Al Mayadeen Facebook page reported. The Al Mayadeen Facebook page mentioned the death of Mahmud Hamwi as it was listing victims from alleged Russian strikes in different parts of al-Mayadeen…

Summary

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

Incident Date

7 October 2017

Incident Code

RS2611

Location

معبر مائي, Water Crossing between Al Mawsa and Al-Mashrada, and Al A’rkoub, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Two civilians, possibly children, were killed by unidentified warplanes in the river-crossing between the town of Al-Sawsa and Al-Mashrada, and Al A’rkoub in Deir Ezzor, local media reported. Two sources reported the death of two civilian men, referring to both as "the son of" and  "the young son", suggesting that they both were children, though…

Summary

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

Incident Date

7 October 2017

Incident Code

RS2612

Location

العشارة, Al-A'shara, Deir Ezzor, Syria
At least three and as many as 30 civilians, including one child and woman, were killed in alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes on the town of Al-A'shara, Deir Ezzor, located media said. Several sources reported the death of three named civilians, one child and two adult siblings, one man and one woman. Multiple other…

Summary

Published
7 October 2017
Civilians reported killed
3–30
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident