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

7 October 2017

Incident Code

RS2608

Location

خشام, Khasham, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One civilian, identified by name, was killed by airstrikes striking in Khasham, Deir Ezzor, local media reported - though it was unclear who carried out the strike. Violations Documentation Center attributed blame to "Russian warplanes" while the two remaining sources referred to "warplanes". There are currently no further details.

Summary

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

Incident Date

7 October 2017

Incident Code

RS2609

Location

الطاحونة, al Tahouna neighbourhood, al Tayba, Al Mayadeen, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Up to five civilians were killed and dozens more were wounded following airstrikes on Al-Tahoona. Sources all attributed blame to Russian warplanes. Two out of three sources reported that three women were killed in the airstrikes, however the third reported that two children and a woman were killed. Airwars has therefore assessed that the death…

Summary

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

Incident Date

6 October 2017

Incident Code

RS2606

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Ma'arat al-Numan, Syria
In what has been described as a "massacre", as many as 20 civilians were killed - including women and children - and dozens more were wounded - following airstrikes on Khan Sheikhoun. Local media reported that Russian warplanes were to blame, though some sources including the Violations Documentation Centre blamed the Syrian regime. Initial reporting…

Summary

Published
6 October 2017
Civilians reported killed
5–20
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

6 October 2017

Incident Code

RS2604

Location

العشارة, Al-A'shara, Deir Ezzor, Syria
As many as four civilians were killed, including between two and three men, and several others were wounded, following airstrikes on Al-A'shara. Almost all sources blamed Russian warplanes, though some did not attribute any blame. The raids allegedly occurred during a bombardement of water crossings "in the towns and cities of Al-A'shara, the Hajin, and…

Summary

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

Incident Date

6 October 2017

Incident Code

RS2602

Location

الخوين, Al-khawein village, Idlib, Syria
An unspecified number of civilians were wounded during a raid on Al-khawein. There were no reports of civilian deaths. Local media was conflicted as  to who was to blame, with only one source attributing blame to Russian warplanes, while the rest either blamed Syrian regime warplanes, or did not attribute any blame. Step News Agency…

Summary

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

Incident Date

6 October 2017

Incident Code

RS2605

Location

الهزاعة, Al-Hazaa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between seven and ten civilians were killed, including women and children, and "dozens" more were wounded, following alleged Russian airstrikes on Al-Hazaa, according to sources on the ground. The incident allegedly occurred in the afternoon following Friday prayers, according to local media, and struck civilian homes and water wells. Multiple sources reported that this was…

Summary

Published
6 October 2017
Civilians reported killed
7–10
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident