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

18 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1481

Location

جديد عكيدات, Jadid Akeidat, Deir Ezzor, Syria
According to Syria News Desk, "two civilians were killed and 12 others wounded, including three paramedics when Russian warplanes struck  residential sites and the only field hospital in the village of Jadid Ekadat". At least two other sources also blamed Russia for the event.

Summary

Published
18 October 2016
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
12
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

18 October 2016

Incident Codes

CS343a RS1486

Location

Al Basira town, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local media reported that between one and two civilians died and up to five more were wounded in an airstrike on Al Basira bridge in Al Basira town. The majority of sources blamed the US-led Coalition for the strike, though there was also an allegation against Russia and Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed the…

Summary

Published
18 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
2–5
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

18 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1482

Location

بريهة, Bariha, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Local media reported that between two and four civilians died and up to another five were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Bariha village in the Deir Ezzor governorate. Sound and Picture put the death toll at two, though Euphrates Post said as many as four died. Radio AlKul added that five more civilians…

Summary

Published
18 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
2–4
Civilians reported injured
2–5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

18 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1483

Location

جديد عكيدات, Jadid Akeidat, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Syria News Desk reported “two civilians were killed and 12 others wounded, including three paramedics, this afternoon [Oct 18th], when Russian warplanes fired four missiles on residential sites and the only field hospital in the village of Jadid Ekadat”. @snewscenter also said that Russia struck the hospital.They also reported the use of cluster bombs. Many…

Summary

Published
18 October 2016
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
12
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

18 October 2016

Incident Code

RS1484

Location

Bariha, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between two and four civilians died and five more were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Bariha village, according to local media. Euphrates Post, Sound and Picture and 7al all blamed Russia. A number of other sources didn’t identify the warplanes that carried out the attack. Euphrates Post put the death toll at four,…

Summary

Published
18 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
2–4
Civilians reported injured
5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

18 October 2016

Incident Codes

CS343b RS1487

Location

الرميلة, al Rumaila, Raqqa, Syria
Twenty civilians, reportedly from three families, died and more were wounded in airstrikes on Raqqa’s al Rumaila neighborhood, local media said. Most reports attributed the event to Russia, though one source said that the Coalition carried out a strike which led to civilian casualties. According to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently, “Russian planes targeted the…

Summary

Published
18 October 2016
Civilians reported killed
20
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident