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

3 October 2017

Incident Code

RS2589

Location

ابو الظهور, Abu Alduhur, Idlib, Syria
A number of civilians were killed and wounded alongside members of the militant jihadist group "Hay’t Tahrir Al Sham" - also known as al-Qaeda - in airstrikes on the Hay’t Tahrir Al Sham military airbase in Abu Alduhur, as well as surrounding residential housing, local media said.  Sources were conflicted as to who was to…

Summary

Published
3 October 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–14
Civilians reported injured
5–21
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

3 October 2017

Incident Code

RS2590

Location

الميادين, Mayadeen, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A family of five were killed and dozens more were wounded in air and artillery strikes on Mayadeen, local media reported. Sources attributed the blame to Russia and the Syrian regime. Alhayat News reported that as many as 30 civilians were killed, however Airwars researchers have concluded this was a separate incident, R2440, on the…

Summary

Published
3 October 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

2 October 2017

Incident Codes

CS1563 RS2585

Location

بقرص فوقاني, Bokros Foqani, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between 10 and 12 civilians, including an entire family, died in an airstrike on Bokros Foqani, local media reported. The culprit is currently unclear, though Airwars understands that the Coalition was not bombing in this territory at the time, while Russia reportedly was. Some sources also attributed the blame to the Syrian regime.  According to…

Summary

Published
2 October 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
10–12
Civilians reported injured
2–30
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

2 October 2017

Incident Codes

CS1564 RS2586

Location

Abu Kamal, al Mohadatha school, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between 11 and 15 civilians including an entire family died and dozens more were wounded in a reported airstrike near the al Mohadatha school in Abu Kamal, according to local media. Sources, however, were conflicted as to whether the US-led Coalition or Russia were to blame. A number of reports did not identify the warplanes…

Summary

Published
2 October 2017
Civilians reported killed
11–15
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

2 October 2017

Incident Code

RS2584

Location

منطقة السدة الطيبة, Al Sadda area, Al Tayba, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A woman and her four children were killed, and as many as two others were wounded, following airstrikes on Al Sadda area, Al Tayba. Sources all either blamed Russian warplanes for the raids or did not attribute any blame. There are no other details at this time.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

2 October 2017

Incident Code

RS2587

Location

حي المهندسين الاول, Al-Muhandessin, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
A young man was killed, and as many as eight more civilians were wounded - including five from the same family - following an air and artillery strike on Al-Muhandessin, Aleppo. All sources either blamed Russia for the air and artillery strikes, or they did not attribute any blame. The shelling allegedly struck civilian housing…

Summary

Published
2 October 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2–8
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident