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

4 October 2017

Incident Codes

CS1580a RS2594

Location

معبر مائي بين هجين و العباس, Water Crossing linking Hajeen with Al A'bbas town, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between ten and 30 civilians were killed, including four named men, and "dozens" more were injured, following a continuation of airstrikes on the river crossing, however this time the crossing linking Hajeen with Al A'bbas town. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. Most sources blamed Russian warplanes for the raids, however others…

Summary

Published
4 October 2017
Civilians reported killed
10–30
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

4 October 2017

Incident Code

RS2595

Location

معبر مائي بين الميادين, Water Crossing linking al Mayadeen and Dhiban, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A man and a woman were killed, and as many as 15 more civilians were wounded, following airstrikes on the water-crossing linking al Mayadeen and Dhiban. Most sources blamed Russian warplanes for the alleged strikes, however Aawsat News blamed the Syrian regime.  According to a local source, @Zahra_Jaber, Russian 'Caliber' missiles struck the vicinity, with…

Summary

Published
4 October 2017
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
15
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

4 October 2017

Incident Code

RS2596

Location

معبر هجين المائي, water crossing linking Hajeen with A’shara town, Deir Ezzor, Syria
In what has been described as a "massacre", between 12 and 54 civilians were killed, and up to 80 more were seriously wounded, in an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on a water crossing linking Hajeen with A’shara town. Most sources blamed Russian warplanes for the strikes, some sources blamed "unknown" warplanes, however the…

Summary

Published
4 October 2017
Civilians reported killed
12–54
Civilians reported injured
12–80
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

4 October 2017

Incident Code

RS2592

Location

دبلان, Dablan, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A girl died and up to four others were injured - including a young girl - following airstrikes on Dablan, local media reported. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, however most blamed Russian warplanes, while others blamed "unknown" warplanes. According to sources, a school was struck as well as residential housing. Dablan…

Summary

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

Incident Date

4 October 2017

Incident Code

RS2593

Location

الميادين, al-Mayadeen, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Alleged Russian or Assad-waged airstrikes killed two brothers in al-Mayadeen, local media reported. DeirEzzor24 reported  "an aerial bombardment of the city of Al-Mayadim in the eastern suburb of Deir Al-Azur with an explosive barrel and guided missiles on 4 October 2017," without appointing blame. Most sources agreed that the strike had killed two brothers. However,…

Summary

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

Incident Date

4 October 2017

Incident Codes

CS1583a RS2597

Location

حطلة, Hatla, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Two civilians were killed and an unspecified number of others were wounded in airstrikes on Hatla, local media reported. Sources attributed the blame to both Russia, the Syrian regime and the US led Coalition. There is one allegation made by the Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies which claims the named victim was killed by…

Summary

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