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

3 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4225

Location

بلدات متعددة, Several towns, Idlib, Syria
Russian and Syrian warplanes launched dozens of alleged air and artillery strikes on cities and villages across Idlib governorate on December 4th 2019, according to Shaam News Network. The Shaam News Network wrote that the airstrikes "targeted the perimeter of the city of Maarat al-Numan, cities and towns of Kafranbel, Hish, Qatra, Ras al-Ward, Hass,…

Summary

Published
3 December 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
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

RS4221

Location

قرية الشيخ أحمد,, Sheikh Ahmed village, south of Aleppo city, Aleppo, Syria
Three people including a child, a woman, and an elderly man, were injured following alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Sheikh Ahmed in the southern Aleppo countryside on the evening of December 3rd 2021, according to local reports. The description of the victims matched across several sources. The Syrian Civil Defense in Aleppo said…

Summary

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

Incident Date

3 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4226

Location

البرسة, Al-Barsa, Idlib, Syria
At least one civilian was injured in alleged Russian or regime strikes on the village of Al-Barsa on December 3, 2019. The correspondent for @HalabTodayT reported that a civilian was injured in the village of Al-Barsa in southeastern Idlib. A tweet from @MasarPressNet identified "injuries" as resulting from strikes but did not specify how many.…

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

RS4222

Location

محمبل, Mhambel, Idlib, Syria
One man was killed and others injured, including a child, after an alleged airstrike by the Syrian government or Russian military in the village of Mhambel, in the western Idlib countryside on December 3rd 2021, according to local sources. The Syrian Network for Human Rights said: "Syrian regime forces helicopters dropped barrel bombs near Ali…

Summary

Published
3 December 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
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

2 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4217

Location

معرة النعمان, Maarat Numan, Idlib, Syria
Up to 14 civilians including two women were reported killed and between 11 and 20 others including two children were injured in an alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrike on a vegetables market, Souk Al-Hal, in Maarat Al Numan in Idlib, Syria on December 2nd, 2019 according to local sources.  Multiple sources indicated that…

Summary

Published
2 December 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
10–14
Civilians reported injured
11–20
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

2 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4218

Location

السجن المركزي, Central prison, Idlib, Syria
According to local sources, between three and seven civilians, including one women and her two children, were reported killed, and up to 28 others including four children and four women were reported injured allegedly when Russian or Syrian regime warplanes targeted the Central Prison, in western Idlib in Syria on December 2nd 2019. A local…

Summary

Published
2 December 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3–7
Civilians reported injured
13–28
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident