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

7 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4241

Location

بلدة البارة, Al Barah, Idlib, Syria
At least four civilians, including one child and two women, were killed and up to dozens were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes that coincided with Syrian regime artillery strikes in the city centre of Al Barah on December 7th, 2019, according to local sources. Step News Agency reported that Russian raids targeted the main street…

Summary

Published
7 December 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
4–5
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

7 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4242

Location

إبديتا, Abdita, Idlib, Syria
As many as seven civilians, including a woman, five children and a man, were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the village of Abdita, Idlib governate on December 7th 2019, according to local media. Three sources said a child, Abdullah Al-Zaidan, died from wounds he sustained in the strike. The Syrian Human…

Summary

Published
7 December 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
5–7
Civilians reported injured
4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

7 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4243

Location

بجغاص, Bajghas, Idlib, Syria
One child was killed and an unspecified number of civilians were injured in an alleged Syrian regime or Russian airstrike on the village of Bajghas, Idlib governate on December 7 th 2019, local media reported. Several sources said Youssef Hajj Jassem, 13, was killed in the strike. The Syrian Network for Human Rights said: "The…

Summary

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

Incident Date

4 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4231

Location

كفرسجنة, Kafrsijna, Idlib, Syria
As many as four civilians, including three men and one child, were killed and between two to three civilians, including three men, were injured in a series of alleged Russian airstrikes that targeted the village of Kafrsijna, Idlib governorate, on December 4th 2019, according to local sources. A Syrian Civil Defence (SCD) volunteer told Smart…

Summary

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

Incident Date

4 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4232

Location

النهر الأبيض, Nahr Abyad, Jisr Al Shughour, Idlib, Syria
An unknown number of civilians were reportedly injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on the Nahr Abyad area in Jisr al-Shughour, Idlib governorate, on December 4th, 2019, according to sources. Shaam News Network reported that "activists said that heavy airstrikes by Russian warplanes targeted the Nahr Abyad area in the Jisr al-Shughur area, leaving wounded civilians".…

Summary

Published
4 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

4 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4233

Location

سراقب, Saraqib, Idlib, Syria
As many as three civilians, including two children and one teacher, were killed, and up to 11 civilians, including four children and women, were injured in a series of alleged airstrikes carried out by either the Syrian or Russian airforce which targeted the city of Saraqib on December 4th, 2019. The strikes hit residential areas…

Summary

Published
4 December 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1–3
Civilians reported injured
10–24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident