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

16 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4255

Location

معرة النعمان, Ma'aret al-Nu'man, Idlib, Syria
An unknown number of civilians were reportedly wounded by alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime airstrikes in Ma'aret al-Nu'man city, Idlib governorate, on December 16th, 2019, according to local sources. Shaam News Agency reported that "dozens of people were wounded"  following Russian and Syrian regime airstrikes on towns and cities across the Idlib countryside including Ma'aret…

Summary

Published
16 December 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

16 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4256

Location

كفروما, Kafarouma, Idlib, Syria
One person was killed and several civilians wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Kafarouma, Idlib Governorate on December 16th, 2019, according to local sources. Iskenderun Arabic reported Russian aircraft struck the town four times between 20:38 and 20:55 on December 16th, 2019. According to the source, strikes on Kafarouma and the town…

Summary

Published
16 December 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2–4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

16 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4257

Location

جرجناز, Jarjanaz, Idlib, Syria
At least one civilian was reportedly injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Jarjanaz, Idlib Governorate on December 16th, 2019, according to local reports. The Syrian Civil Defence reported on Facebook that "civilians were wounded by rockets targeting the Russian occupation air force, in the town of Jarjanaz, south of…

Summary

Published
16 December 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

16 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4251

Location

بلدات متعددة, several towns, Idlib, Syria
Dozens of civilians were reportedly wounded as the result of alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime airstrikes on several locations in Idlib governorate on December 16th, 2019. Shaam News Agency reported that the airstrikes targeted the city of Ma'arat Al Numan and the villages and towns of Deir Al Sharqi, Al Haraki, Al Harman, Harran, Abumaki,…

Summary

Published
16 December 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

7 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4244

Location

بلدة بليون, Balyoun, Idlib, Syria
Between four and 11 civilians, including women and children, were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on a popular market place in Balyoun village, Idlib governorate, on December 7th, 2019, according to local sources. Around fourteen more non-combatants were injured. There are many conflicting reports about the number of civilian casualties. The Syrian…

Summary

Published
7 December 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
4–11
Civilians reported injured
13–14
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

7 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4245

Location

تلمنس, Talmans village, Idlib, Syria
As many as three civilians, one man, one woman and a child, were killed and as many as 14 others, including three women and a child, were injured in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on a marketplace in the village of Talmans, Idlib Governate on December 7th, 2019 local media reported. According to…

Summary

Published
7 December 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2–3
Civilians reported injured
4–14
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident