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

1 October 2017

Incident Code

RS2583

Location

قرية الصالحية, Al-Salhiya, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One child was killed and several other civilians were injured by alleged Russian airstrikes in al-Al-Salhiya, Deir Ezzor, local media reported. Euphrates Post summed up the event by reporting "the martyrdom of the child Ali Mohi Al-Hussein Al-Ramdan in addition to the injury of three people." Most sources reported that two raids had been launched, except @JFLngo,…

Summary

Published
1 October 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

1 October 2017

Incident Codes

CS1557 RS2577

Location

Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between nine and 15 civilians died, including an entire family, following alleged airstrikes in a second reported ‘massacre’ at Abu Kamal in 24 hours. Reports were contested: some sources blamed the Coalition, while others believed Russia were the likely culprit. Many of the known sources did not apportion blame. The strikes were conducted after midnight,…

Summary

Published
1 October 2017
Civilians reported killed
9–15
Civilians reported injured
15–24
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

30 September 2017

Incident Code

RS2575

Location

الصالحية, Al-Salhiya, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local media reported that three people were reportedly killed, including a child, in airstrikes on the village of Al Salhia, which lays at the entrance of Deir Ezzor. The airstrikes were blamed on Russian warplanes. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

Published
30 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

30 September 2017

Incident Code

RS2576

Location

Al Shehabat Crossing in Al Hawaij, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A civilian was killed by an airstrike which struck the wells at Al-Shehabat Crossing in Al Hawaij, according to local sources. The sources attributed the airstrike to the Russian side. There were no details of any wounded victims.

Summary

Published
30 September 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

30 September 2017

Incident Codes

CS1555 RS2574

Location

بقرص فوقاني, Bokros Foqani, Deir Ezzor, Syria
As many as 12 civilians were killed, including at least three children and two women, in airstrikes on Bokro Foqani, situated in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor. Sources were contested with blame attributed to Russia, the Syrian regime and the US-led Coalition. Most reports were unable to identify the culprit. The news agency Baladi…

Summary

Published
30 September 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
9–12
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

29 September 2017

Incident Code

RS2563

Location

جسر الشغور, Jisir Al-Shoghour, Idlib, Syria
Smart News Agency reported that five civilians were reportedly wounded by airstrikes, likely to be Russian, on the city of Jisr Al Shoughour and its surrounding villages. @jesrNEWS reported: "The cancellation of Friday prayers in the city of Jisr al-Shخughour and most of the villages and villages because of the fierce attack on the city…

Summary

Published
29 September 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident