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

6 October 2017

Incident Code

RS2603

Location

حاوي, Hawi Mheimdiya area, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A mother and her four children were killed, following an airstrike which struck the tent they were sheltering in the Hawi Mheimdiya area of the Deir Ezzor countryside, local media reported. Sources all blamed Russian warplanes for the raids. Marsad Al Hasaka reported that they were from the Al-Sa'id family, however, their names were not…

Summary

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

Incident Date

5 October 2017

Incident Code

RS2600

Location

طيبة جزيرة, Taiba Jazera, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Three civilians, two women and one female child, were killed as airstrikes struck residential areas in Taiba Jazera, Deir Ezzor, local media reported, though it remained unclear as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime was to blame. The three victims were identified by multiple sources and were reportedly from the same family; a grandmother, Rajiha…

Summary

Published
5 October 2017
Civilians reported killed
3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

5 October 2017

Incident Code

RS2601

Location

محكان, Mahkan, Deir Ezzor, Syria
At least ten and as many as 21 (possibly more) civilians, hereof up to seven children and four women, were killed, and another "dozens" were left wounded as alleged Russian warplanes carried out airstrikes in Mahkan, Deir Ezzor, local media reported. Euphrates Post reported that six air raids had hit the town of Mahkan, more precisely…

Summary

Published
5 October 2017
Civilians reported killed
10–21
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

5 October 2017

Incident Code

RS2598

Location

الكندير صبيخان, Water crossing between Al-Kandeer and Sbeikhan, Deir Ezzor, Syria
An unspecifiied number of civilians were killed and wounded, following an airstrike on Al-Kandeer - specifically the water crossing between Al-Kandeer and Sbeikhan. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame for the strikes. A single source, Step News Agency, blamed Russian raids, however all the others reported sighting "unknown warplanes" or "military aircraft".…

Summary

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

Incident Date

5 October 2017

Incident Code

RS2599

Location

بقرص فوقاني, Baqras Fuqani, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local sources reported the death of four people in the village of Baqras Fuqani, Deir Ezzor on October 5th 2017 - some killed by airstrikes, carried out by either Russia or the Syrian regime, and others seemingly from wounds they sustained in previous days' airstrikes. Sana News reported that "intensive strikes" were carried out by the…

Summary

Published
5 October 2017
Civilians reported killed
1–4
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

4 October 2017

Incident Codes

CS1583 RS2591

Location

البوكمال الباغوز, Huweija al Khanafer, water crossing between البوكمال al Bukamal الباغوز al Baghouz, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In what has been described as a "massacre" between seven and 55 civilians died, and "dozens" were left injured, following suspected airstrikes on the Al Bagouz water crossing, between Bagouz village and Abu Kamal city, on the northern bank of the Euphrates river. Local sources were conflicted as to who was to blame for the…

Summary

Published
4 October 2017
Civilians reported killed
7–55
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident