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

17 September 2017

Incident Code

RS2470

Location

البوليل, Albouleil, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Five to eight civilians were killed and others were wounded in airstrikes on Albouleil, local media reported. Sources blamed both Russian and Syrian regime raids for the casualties. A river bank in Albouleil was reportedly struck. Between one and five children were included in the death toll. An unidentified body was also discovered. There are…

Summary

Published
17 September 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
5–8
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 September 2017

Incident Code

RS2471

Location

موحسن, Mohassein, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One female was killed due to alleged Russian and Syrian regime raids on Mohassein, local media reported. There are no other details at this time.

Summary

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

Incident Date

16 September 2017

Incident Code

RS2465

Location

طابية جزيرة, Tabya Jzaeera, near Al Sekka, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Five members of one family were among those killed in an alleged Russian bombardment on the village of Tabiya Jazira, east of Deir al-Zour, local sources reported. The Ismail al-Jadan family died when four shells hit the area of the town near the railway, Syrian Press Centre said.  A total of 13 civilians were reportedly…

Summary

Published
16 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
5–13
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

16 September 2017

Incident Codes

CS1497 RS2462

Location

مظلوم, Masloum Tahtani, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A civilian woman died with her two children in an aerial attack on the the village of Mazloum Tahtani (12km east of Deir Ezzor), close to the primary school and the mosque, according to local media. Step News however, out the death toll as high as five. Shabha also referred to civilians wounded in the event,…

Summary

Published
16 September 2017
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
3–5
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

16 September 2017

Incident Code

RS2466

Location

مدينة موحسن حي البوسويد, Al Bouswid neighborhood. Mohassein city , Deir Ezzor, Syria
A family of five was killed on a boat on the Euphrates river by an alleged Russian airstrike, local sources reported. Samer Turki Al Abdullah and Khader Turki Al-Abdullah, along with three children, were trying to escape from the town of Mohassein, according to the Euphrates Post. They were pulled from the water but did…

Summary

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

Incident Date

16 September 2017

Incident Codes

CS1498 RS2463

Location

محكان, Mahkan, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Nine to 19 civilians, including an “entire family,” died following airstrikes on Mahkan, about 45km southeast of Deir Ezzor, local media reported. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, some attributing blame to the US- led Coalition and others to Russian warplanes. There were no reports of wounded. According to Ortas, Coalition aircraft…

Summary

Published
16 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
9–19
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident