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

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

Incident Date

12 September 2017

Incident Codes

CS1477 RS2440

Location

Hatla, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Two adult male civilians, one child and one woman were killed in airstrikes on Hatla, according to local media, though sources were conflicted as to whether the Coalition or Russia were to blame. The majority of sources, however, pointed to Russia. Munitions recovered at the scene appear to be Russian in origin. The Syrian Observatory…

Summary

Published
12 September 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

11 September 2017

Incident Code

RS2438

Location

قرية الحوايج, al-Hawaij river crossing, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes at al-Hawaij river crossing in Deir Ezzor killed between seven and 26 civilians and wounded between two and 24 others, according to sources on the ground. Sources blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime. The civilians were reported to have been crossing from one side of the Euphrates to…

Summary

Published
11 September 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
7–30
Civilians reported injured
2–76
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

11 September 2017

Incident Code

RS2434

Location

الخريطة, Al-Kharita, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Four to six civilians were killed and several others were injured in an ‘aerial bombardment’ on the town of al-Kharita in Deir Ezzor Governorate on September 11th 2017. Sources claimed warplanes belonging either to Russian forces or the Syrian regime conducted these air raids on a camp for internally displaced people that was set up…

Summary

Published
11 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
4–6
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

11 September 2017

Incident Code

RS2435

Location

معبار حطلة, Hatla Crossing, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One civilian, Mousa 'Abd al-Salam al-Kharabah, was killed in an airstrike on the Hatla crossing in Deir Ezzor governorate on September 11th 2017, according to local media. It is unclear who was responsible for the strikes. The Violation Documentation Centre in Syria blamed the ‘Syrian government and its militias’, but does not directly identify the…

Summary

Published
11 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

11 September 2017

Incident Code

RS2436

Location

بلدة الطريف, bank of the Euphrates, Deir Ezzor, Syria
One civilian was killed and others were injured when warplanes bombed the bank of the Euphrates in al Tareef in western Deir Ezzor Governorate on 12th September 2017, local media reported. Multiple sources, including the Syrian Human Rights Committee, identified the martyr as Ahmad Al Salama Al-Hamad. It is unclear which belligerent was responsible for…

Summary

Published
12 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident