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

20 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4188

Location

جبالا, Jabala, Idlib, Syria
One civilian, a man, was killed and one to two civilians, including a man, were injured in a suspected airstrike by the Russian Armed Forces in Jabala, Idlib on November 20, 2019. Jesrpress stated that reportedly a man was killed and another civilian injured as a result of airstrikes conducted by the Russian Armed forces,…

Summary

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

Incident Date

20 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4189

Location

بلدات متعددة,, several towns in Idlib, Idlib, Syria
The Shaam News Network reported wounded civilians across Idlib. The Shaam reported said: "Russian warplanes and helicopter gunships carried out dozens of airstrikes accompanied by very heavy artillery and rocket shelling targeting the cities of Maarat al-Numan, Kafrnabel, the towns and villages of al-Saraj, Musharrafa, Jabalha, Bara, Barba, Helba, Umm Jalal, Tall Dum, Sahal, Umm…

Summary

Published
20 November 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

20 November 2019

Incident Codes

IRS003 RS4190

Location

مخيم قاح, Qah refugee camp, near Syrian-Turkish border, Idlib, Syria
Between 16-30 civilians, including at least seven children and at least six women, were killed and up to 46 others, most of them children, were wounded in an airstrike with the use of cluster bombs which struck attack Qah refugee camp and was allegedly carried out by Russian, Syrian regime or Iranian forces at 7:30…

Summary

Published
20 November 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
IDP or Refugee Camp, Residential
Civilians reported killed
16–30
Civilians reported injured
15–46
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military, Iranian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

19 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4184

Location

بلدات متعددة, Several towns in Idlib, Idlib, Syria
An unspecified number of civilian casualties were recorded by a single source, as a result of airstrikes on multiple villages in Idlib province on November 19th 2019. Airwars is presently unable to provide more specific detail. Airstrikes by “Russian warplanes and helicopter gunships” were reported by local news source Shaam News to have hit eight…

Summary

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

Incident Date

19 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4185

Location

Several towns in Idlib, Idlib, Syria
A single source, the Shaam News Network, reported: "Russian warplanes and helicopter gunships carried out air strikes with rockets and explosive barrels on the city of Kafrnabal, the towns of Verkia, Kafar Sijna Shanan, Maarat China, Kerasa, Jabalya, Naji, Musharrafa, Kafr Fasnajah, on the roofs of the monastery, in Termla, Hazarin, Dar al-Kabira and Ma'arzita.…

Summary

Published
13 November 2019
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

18 November 2019

Incident Codes

TS395 RS4183

Location

تيري, Tayri, Aleppo, Syria
At least one young woman was reported injured in eastern Kobane, after allegedly being hit by a Turkish-Russian patrol vehicle during on-going protests by locals against the presence of foreign forces in the area. ANF reported that “the people protested against the patrol by throwing stones. A young woman was hit by a vehicle of…

Summary

Published
18 November 2019
Strike Type
Ground operation
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Causes of Death / Injury
Use of objects and other means
Military Actor
Russian Military, Turkish Military
View Incident