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

2 October 2017

Incident Code

RS2588

Location

الميادين, al-Mayadeen, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Alleged Russian and/or Syrian-waged airstrikes possibly killed one man and wounded several other civilians, including a child and a woman, in al-Mayadeen, according to sources on the ground. Enab Baladi reported that more than 30 raids had hit al-Mayadeen, and many other sources put the figure at 20 air raids and more. DPN reported that "Russian…

Summary

Published
2 October 2017
Civilians reported killed
0–1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

1 October 2017

Incident Codes

CS1559 RS2578

Location

الميادين, Al Mayadin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Up to 14 named civilians died in an air and artillery strike in Al Mayadin, local media reported – though it was unclear who was responsible for the event, with sources pointing towards the Coalition, Russia and the regime. Many reports referred only to attacks by “warplanes”. Although no specific sources put the death toll…

Summary

Published
1 October 2017
Civilians reported killed
3–14
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

1 October 2017

Incident Code

RS2581

Location

الحوايج, Hawaij, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Up to five civilians were killed and several wounded as airstrikes, carried out by either Russia or the Syrian regime, hit Huwaij, near al Shaheel, Deir Ezzor, local media reported. @Euphratesmedia reported after the incident "a large number of air raids targeted the towns and villages of the eastern countryside and Al Shahil crossing water", adding…

Summary

Published
1 October 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–5
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

1 October 2017

Incident Code

RS2579

Location

السعلو, Sa'lo, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In this single-source incident, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that "a man was killed in a bombardment by warplanes believed to be Russian on al-Salu village in the countryside of Deir Ezzor". Currently, there are no further details.  

Summary

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

Incident Date

1 October 2017

Incident Codes

CS1561 RS2580

Location

حي النختب بقرص فوقاني, Al Nakhtab, Bokros Foqani, Deir Ezzor, Syria
As many as 12 civilians were killed - including an entire family - and up to 30 were injured, following airstrikes on Al Nakhtab, Bokros Foqani. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, some attributing blame to the Coalition, others to Russia and SOHR to the Syrian regime. A handful of sources blamed "unknown…

Summary

Published
1 October 2017
Civilians reported killed
8–12
Civilians reported injured
12–30
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

1 October 2017

Incident Code

RS2582

Location

الطوب, al-Toub, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In what several sources referred to as a "massacre", between 12 and 20 civilians, including several women and children, were killed and dozens left wounded, following alleged Russian or Assad-waged airstrikes in al-Toub, Deir Ezzor, local media reported. Many sources reported simultaneously about airstrikes in both the towns of al-Toub and al-Bouleil that day, reporting…

Summary

Published
1 October 2017
Civilians reported killed
12–20
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident