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

15 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4174

Location

الضهر, Marj al-Dahr, Idlib, Syria
On November 15th 2019, at least one person was killed and two civilians were injured in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime strike in the village of Marj al-Dahr, near the city of Jisr al-Shughur in the Western countryside of Idlib, local media such as Media Idlib reported. Various local sources named the woman killed…

Summary

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

Incident Date

15 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4175

Location

معرة حرمة, Ma’aret Harma, Idlib, Syria
Between one and three civilians were reportedly killed in a Russian airstrike in the town of Ma’aret Harma, Idlib on November 15th 2019 according to local media and sources. Up to two of those killed were children. Various local sources reported that one child was killed in this airstrike, but Zaiton Mag News noted the…

Summary

Published
15 November 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1–3
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

15 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4176

Location

حاس, Has, Idlib, Syria
On November 15th 2019, an alleged Russian airstrike hit the town of Has in the southern Idlib countryside, allegedly injuring at least one woman and an unspecified number of other civilians. Shahba Press reported, ‘A woman and other civilians were injured after Russian warplanes raided residential neighbourhoods in the south town of Has’. One source…

Summary

Published
15 November 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

15 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4172

Location

البارة, Bara, Idlib, Syria
Up to five civilians including three children and a woman were reported killed and eight others including a volunteer with the Syrian Civil Defense injured in alleged Russian airstrikes or Syrian regime artillery attacks on Al Bara in Jabal al-Zawiya, south of Idlib, Syria on November 15th, 2019 according to local sources. Step Agency said…

Summary

Published
15 November 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1–5
Civilians reported injured
2–8
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

15 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4173

Location

كفروما, Kafrouma, Idlib, Syria
A likely Russian airstrike killed a child and reportedly injured four other family members when missiles targeted a residential neighbourhood in the town of Kafrouma, south of Idlib, on November 15th 2019. While various local sources report that those injured were four sisters, others such as Zamal Al Wasl News report that amongst those injured…

Summary

Published
15 November 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
4–5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

14 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4171

Location

معرة حرمة, Ma'rat Harma, Idlib, Syria
Two children were reported killed and three members of their family including their mother injured in an alleged Russian airstrike, or Syrian regime forces barrel bombing on Ma'rat Harma town in Idlib, Syria, on November 14th, 2019 according to local sources. IdlibPlus said "Two children were killed and two men and a woman were injured…

Summary

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