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

4 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4229

Location

حاس, Hass, Idlib, Syria
One man was injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on the town of Hass, Idlib Governorate on December 4th 2019, according to multiple reports. The Syrian White Helmets, Al Hadath Syria and Idlib plus all reported that a man had been injured and accused Russia of carrying out the strike. @NagiNajjar said Russian planes targetted…

Summary

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

Incident Date

4 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4234

Location

كفرنبل, Kafar Nabil, Idlib, Syria
One person was killed and as many as eight people, including three children and three women, were wounded in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Kafar Nabl, Idlib governorate, on December 4th, 2019. The majority of the sources accused the regime of carrying out the strikes, some sources mentioned the presence…

Summary

Published
4 December 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Residential, Agriculture
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2–8
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

4 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4228

Location

حريتان, Hraitan, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
One girl died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Hraitan, according to local media. Halab Today reported "the martyrdom of the girl Yasmine Shaheen and the injury of five civilians, mostly children, as a result of Russian air strikes on the city of Hreitan in the northern countryside of Aleppo". The victim was also named…

Summary

Published
4 December 2016
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

4 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4235

Location

بزابور, Bzabour, Idlib, Syria
One child was killed and eight civilians, including between three to seven children and between one to five women, were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Bzabour, Idlib governorate, on December 4th, 2019, according to local sources. All of the named victims appear to come from the same family.…

Summary

Published
4 December 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
6–8
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

4 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4239

Location

حنتوتين, Hantouten, Idlib, Syria
An unknown number of civilians were injured in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes with barrel bombs on the town of Hantouten on December 4, 2019. According to @ZaitunAgency, civilians were wounded when regime helicopters bombed the town of Hantouten with barrel bombs. @MasarPressNet also reported on civilians being injured but did not specify how many.…

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

RS4236

Location

البليصة, Al Baliysa, Idlib, Syria
Four men were injured in an alleged Russian airstrike or Syrian regime artillery strike on the town of Al Baliysa, Idlib governate on December 4th, 2019, according to reports. Idlib Plus said: "four men were injured in al-Balaysa village in eastern Idlib countryside, when Russian warplanes conducted an air strike by the village school, partially…

Summary

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