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

RS4237

Location

تل الطوقان, Tal Al Touqan, Idlib, Syria
An unspecified number of civilians were wounded in alleged Russian or Syrian regime strikes on the village of Tal Al Touqan, Idlib Governate on December 4th 2019, according to local media. On December 4th, Smart News Agency quoted activists as saying an unspecified number of people had been wounded following a strike by regime warplanes…

Summary

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

Incident Date

4 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4238

Location

جزرايا, Jazraiya, Aleppo, Syria
As many as three civilians - a woman, her son and an infant - were killed and as many as nine others, including multiple members of the same family, were injured in an alleged Russian or Syria regime strikes on the town of Jazraiya, Aleppo Governate on the evening of December 4th 2019, according to…

Summary

Published
4 December 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
2–3
Civilians reported injured
4–9
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

4 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4230

Location

بلدات متعددة, Several towns, Idlib, Syria
Dozens of civilians, including children and women, were wounded in alleged Russian and Syrian regime airstrikes on several towns in Idlib governorate on December 4th, 2019, according to Shaam News Network. The Shaam News Network reported that the "very violent air raids" targeted locations south of the international M4-line in the southern countryside of Idlib,…

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

3 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4227

Location

أورم_الجوز, Urum Al Joz, Idlib, Syria
At least one civilian, a woman, was injured in alleged regime or Russian strikes on the village of Urum Al Joz on December 3, 2019. According to @oulaalassaad, civilians were wounded when the regime dropped barrel bombs on the village of Urum Al Joz but did not specify how many civilians were involved. @la1mea and…

Summary

Published
3 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

3 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4223

Location

كفروما, Kafarrouma, Syria
Three civilians, including one man, were reportedly injured in an alleged Syrian regime and/or Russian airstrikes on the town of Kafarrouma, Idlib governorate, on December 3rd 2019, according to local sources. @Step_Agency said helicopters used barrel bombs to target the center of Kafarrouma, injuring three civilians. Wasim Alkhalaf said helicopters initially targeted the village at…

Summary

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

Incident Date

3 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4224

Location

كفرشلايا, Kafar Shlaya, Idlib, Syria
A child was injured in alleged Russian and/or Syrian air- and artillery strikes on a mosque in the village of Kafar Shlaya, Idlib governorate, on December 3rd, according to local sources. Shaam News Network reported that “Russian and Assad warplanes and helicopters launched dozens of airstrikes amid artillery and rocket shelling” on dozens of cities…

Summary

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