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

1 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4213

Location

حاس, Hass, Idlib, Syria
Between five and ten civilians, including two children and two women, were reported injured in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on Hass in Idlib, Syria, on December 1st 2019 according to local sources.  A local source, Wasim Alkhalf, reported that this incident happened at 3.15pm. The source also identified four of those injured…

Summary

Published
1 December 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
5–10
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

1 December 2019

Incident Code

RS4211

Location

بلدة تل كرسيان, Tal Karseean, Idlib, Syria
Two civilians were reported killed in an alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrike on Tal Karseean in Idlib, Syria on December 1st 2019 according to local sources. According to multiple sources including Syrian Network for Human Rights, Ibrahim Mohammad al Hussein and his nephew, Sayyed Hasan al Hussein, were killed in the attack. Syrianpc…

Summary

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

Incident Date

30 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4209

Location

الغدفة, Ghadafa, Idlib, Syria
A woman and a man were reportedly injured by alleged Russian or Syrian regime forces airstrikes on Ghadafa in Idlib, Syria on November 30th, 2019, at noon. According to Eldor News quoting an Al-Durar Al-Shamiya Network correspondent, the two civilians had only been lightly injured. A Baladi correspondent claimed that the civilians had been seriously wounded…

Summary

Published
30 November 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

30 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4210

Location

كفرنبل, Kafr Nabl, Idlib, Syria
At least woman was reportedly injured by an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike or artillery attack on Kafr Nabl in Idlib, Syria, on November 30th 2019. The media source Kefranbell.com identified the victim as the wife of the "martyr" Waheb al-Obeidu. A number of sources claimed that several civilians had been injured without specifying the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

27 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4208

Location

بكفلا أو النهر الأبيض, Bkafla or Al Naher Al Abyad, near Jisr Ash Shughour, Idlib, Syria
One young male civilian was reportedly killed and at least nine others, including one woman and at least four members of the Syrian Civil Defense, were reportedly wounded in an alleged Russia and/or Syrian regime forces artillery strike on Bkafla or Al Naher Al Abyad, near Jisr Ash Shughour in the evening of November 27th…

Summary

Published
27 November 2019
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
9–10
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4207

Location

معرزيتا,, Maarzita, Idlib, Syria
An unspecified number of civilians were wounded in an alleged Russia or regime air or artillery strike on Maarzita on November 26th, 2019, according to local sources. Syria Live blamed the regime, reporting: "[There were] civilian injuries due to the artillery shelling of pro-Assad forces on Maarzita town in the southern countryside".  Step News Agency,…

Summary

Published
26 November 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