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

17 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4179

Location

الملاجة, Malaja, Idlib, Syria
Between five to six civilians, among them at least three women, were reportedly killed by an alleged Russian airstrike in the town of Malaja, near Kafr Nabl in southern Idlib, on November 17th, 2019. Sources state that they were members of one family, including a couple and their son. According to several reports, another three…

Summary

Published
17 November 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
5–6
Civilians reported injured
3–14
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4180

Location

سراقب, Saraqib, Idlib, Syria
Three to seven people reportedly died during several alleged Russian or Syrian air strikes on the northern outskirts of Saraqib, east of Idlib on the morning of November 17th 2019. Estimates of the number of injured people went as high as seven. While some sources claimed that the casualties were civilians, others identified them as…

Summary

Published
17 November 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3–7
Civilians reported injured
5–7
Military actors reported killed
0–7
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4181

Location

كفرنبل, Kafr Nabl, Idlib, Syria
Local sources reported that Syrian Regime or Russian helicopters dropped barrel bombs on the outskirts of the town Kafr Nabl south of Idlib injuring at least two civilians on November 17th. Two civilians were injured according to most sources, while one source claimed that civilians had been killed during the strike. @Idlibplus identified the victims…

Summary

Published
17 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

17 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4182

Location

جبل الأربعين, Arba'ayn mountains, Idlib, Syria
Up to three civilians were reportedly killed in alleged Russian airstrikes that caused fires on the Arba'ayn mountains in Idlib governorate, Syria, on November 17th, 2019. While most sources claimed that three civilians had been killed, several others reported that only two had died. @Sy24ria stated as the only source that no casualties were suffered. IdlibPlus…

Summary

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

Incident Date

17 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4178

Location

بلدات متعددة, Several towns in Idlib, Idlib, Syria
An unidentified number of civilians have reportedly been injured by alleged Russian airstrikes in the towns Kafrnabal, Tarmala, Naqir, Khan al-Sibel, Fatira, Jabala, Arinba, Biskla and Ma'rzita on November 17th, 2019. Shaam news reported that Russian “planes and helicopter gunships” carried out the attack. The villages of Tahtaya, Mardabsa, Umm Jalal and Abu Habba “came…

Summary

Published
17 November 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

16 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4177

Location

معرزيتا‎, Maarzita, Idlib, Syria
Three civilians were reported to have been killed and at least eight injured by either Syrian regime forces or Russian forces in an airstrike on November 16th 2019 in Maarzita, in the de-escalation zone in Idlib, northern Syria. According to various sources such as Halab Today and Syria TV, one civilian was a doctor on…

Summary

Published
16 November 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
8–10
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident