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

13 September 2017

Incident Code

RS2446

Location

قرية الجنينة, Genina, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Sources on the ground reported that six civilians were killed and a further 10 were injured in an airstrike allegedly conducted by Russian forces on the village of Genina on September 13th 2017. According to the Smart News Agency, "Witnesses confirmed the killing of six civilians and wounding ten people this morning, air bomb likely…

Summary

Published
13 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
6
Civilians reported injured
10
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

13 September 2017

Incident Codes

CS1478 RS2445

Location

مظلوم, Mazloum village, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Up to seven civilians including two women and a girl died in an airstrike on a school sheltering displaced people in Mazloum village, eastern Deir Ezzor, according to local media. Though local sources were conflicted as to whether the Coalition, Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame, the village did appear to have been…

Summary

Published
13 September 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
5–7
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

12 September 2017

Incident Code

RS2443

Location

بلدة ذيبان, Dhiban, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Two civilians were killed allegedly by warplanes in the town of Dhiban in eastern Deir Ezzor Governorate at around 2am on 12th September 2017. Multiple sources confirmed that one man, Hassan al-Mazal, and one girl were killed in this airstrike. The girl was reported as the daughter of either Thamer al-Frikhan or Thamer al-Khalif al-Sari.…

Summary

Published
12 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12 September 2017

Incident Code

RS2442

Location

قرية الجيعة, Al-Jaya'a, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Al-Jaya’a village in Deir Ezzor Governorate was hit by air strikes on September 12th 2017, reportedly killing one girl and injuring five civilians from the same family.  Multiple sources accused the Russian forces of carrying out these strikes. No further information was provided as to the identity of the girl killed or the members of…

Summary

Published
12 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12 September 2017

Incident Code

RS2444

Location

موحسن, Mohassein, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between one and three men were killed in airstrikes on Mohassein, local media reported. Sources all attributed the blame to Russia or "military aircraft". Airwars researchers believe that Hamza Mahmoud al-Fathi al-Nasser was possibly a militant, however we are unclear so have left him in the death count. In addition to this, sources claim that…

Summary

Published
12 September 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1–3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12 September 2017

Incident Codes

CS1476 RS2439

Location

Khisham town, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local reports documented four civilians killed in airstrikes on Khisham town,13 kilometres east of Deir Ghaza, eastern Deir Ezzor. Euphrates Post referred to “warplanes” and alleged that they targeted “the house of Awad al-Azar in the town of Khisham, opposite the divider, killing four people and wounding many civilians yesterday evening”, though they did not…

Summary

Published
12 September 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
4
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident