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

11 September 2017

Incident Code

RS2437

Location

مخيم الحوادي, al-Hawadi Camp, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Russian warplanes allegedly bombed the al-Hawadi camp for displaced persons in the town of Zaghir Shamiya in Deir Ezzor, killing between eight and 16 civilians on September 11th 2017. Women and children were among the slain. The initial bombs struck the tent of the Jassem al-Ahdi family, killing all members of the family, including four…

Summary

Published
11 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
8–16
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

10 September 2017

Incident Code

RS2433

Location

عقيربات, Vicinity of Akeirbat, Hama, Syria
Up to four civilians, including one woman, were killed and five others were injured when warplanes bombed an internally displaced persons camp in the al-Atheeb Valley near Akeirbat, in Hama Governorate. This attack on 10th September 2017 was suspected to have been carried out by Russian aircrafts. One of the survivors told RFS Media Office…

Summary

Published
10 September 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Residential, IDP or Refugee Camp
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Civilians reported injured
5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

10 September 2017

Incident Code

RS2432

Location

al-Hawayj crossings, al Boulial town, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between 15 and 39 civilians including up to nine children were killed and dozens more were wounded in a what local media called a 'horrific massacre' when alleged Russian airstrikes hit al-Huwayj crossings on the Euphrates river in the town of al-Boulial on September 10th 2017, local sources reported. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights…

Summary

Published
10 September 2017
Civilians reported killed
34–39
Civilians reported injured
12–20
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

9 September 2017

Incident Code

RS2431

Location

ابو الظهور باريسا, Barissa village west of Abual Duhur, Idlib, Syria
A ballistic missile landed on the village of Barissa in the Idlib countryside, injuring six civilians, according to sources on the ground. Reports were conflicted as to whether the missile was fired by Russia or the Assad regime. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that this was part of a series of explosions in…

Summary

Published
9 September 2017
Civilians reported injured
2–6
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

9 September 2017

Incident Code

RS2428

Location

معدان, Ma’dan, Raqqa city, Raqqa, Syria
Warplanes bombarded the town of Ma’dan on September 9th 2017 resulting in ‘considerable material damage to property’, RFS News reported. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights was alone in alleging civilian harm, reporting that one civilian was wounded. This was part of a ‘large number of raids’ conducted by the Russians in the area, according…

Summary

Published
9 September 2017
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

9 September 2017

Incident Code

RS2429

Location

حطلة,, Hatla, Deir Ezzor, Syria
A single source, the Euphrates Post, reported that unidentified warplanes struck two cars carrying families the town of Hatla shortly before, killing one of them. No further details are currently available.

Summary

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