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

26 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4204

Location

كرسعة, Karsa’a, Idlib, Syria
Two civilians, including a child, were killed and several others were wounded in an alleged Russia or Assad regime airstrike on Karsa’a, according to local media. Idlib Plus said two men were killed, and civilian homes were damaged. Zaiton Mag pointed out that the strikes occurred in residential neighborhoods. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights…

Summary

Published
26 November 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

26 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4205

Location

الفطيرة,, Al Fatira, Idlib, Syria
Two or three civilians were wounded in an alleged regime or Russian airstrike on al-Fatira town, local media reported. @ShahbaPress tweeted: "A child and a woman were injured in shelling by Assad helicopters with explosive barrels on al-Fatira town of southern Idlib countryside." Other sources put the wounded toll at three. According to the White…

Summary

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

Incident Date

26 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4203

Location

ابلين, Iblin, Idlib, Syria
One man was wounded in an alleged Russia or regime airstrike on Iblin in Jabal Al-Zawiya on the morning of November 26th, 2019, according to local media. The White Helmets reported that "explosive barrels by helicopters belonging to Assad forces" hit "the outskirts of Iblin village in Idlib countryside." Several sources reported that a total of…

Summary

Published
26 November 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

26 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4206

Location

حاس, Hass, Idlib, Syria
At least one civilian was reportedly wounded in alleged Russian or Syrian regime raids on Hass during nighttime on November 26th, 2019. One civilian had been wounded according to Idlib Online. According to Step News, an unspecified number of civilians had been injured. Most sources reported that helicopters and/or warplanes targeted the town with air…

Summary

Published
26 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

25 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4201

Location

كفر سجنة, Kafr Sijnah, Idlib, Syria
Local media reported that one or two civilians were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Kafr Sijnah. Edlib Media Centre said  that a "civilian was wounded following the targeting by Russian occupation aircraft of the town of kfrsjna southern idlib with Rockets." According to Shahba Press, Russian strikes on Kafr Sijnah resulted in "civilian…

Summary

Published
25 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

25 November 2019

Incident Codes

CS1938 ISSY007 RS4202

Location

ترحين, Tarhin, Aleppo, Syria
Three civilians were reportedly killed in alleged Russian, Syrian regime, Israeli or US-led Coalition airstrikes on Tarhin village, Aleppo governorate, on November 25th, 2019, according to local sources. An unknown number of civilians were wounded. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, "local sources said that six explosions were heard in different areas, and…

Summary

Published
25 November 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition, Israeli Military
View Incident