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

13 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4170

Location

كفرنبل, Kafar Nubul, Idlib, Syria
One man was reported injured in alleged Russian forces airstrikes on Kafar Nubul in Idlib - Syria on November 13th, 2019, according to local sources. IdlibPlus said "A man was also injured in the city of Kafar Nabil as a result of the shelling by Russian warplanes with four air strikes." None of the other…

Summary

Published
13 November 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12 November 2019

Incident Codes

TS392 RS4164

Location

جمحران و كوربينكار, Jen Harran and Kurbinkar, Aleppo, Syria
Between one and four civilians were reported killed and up to eight others injured when a joint Turkish and Russian patrol allegedly opened fire on protesters in Jen Harran village, southern Kobani, Aleppo in Syria on November 12th, 2019, according to local sources. The sources also reported that the Turkish forces targeted journalists from Jin…

Summary

Published
12 November 2019
Civilians reported killed
1–4
Civilians reported injured
5–8
Military Actor
Russian Military, Turkish Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4169

Location

بداما, Badama, Idlib, Syria
At least three civilians were injured in alleged regime/Russian artillery strikes on the town of Badama on November 12, 2019. The Syrian Civil Defense told Smart News "three civilians were wounded as a result of the shelling of the town of Badama of the area of ​​Jisr al-Shughour with five artillery shells, where his teams…

Summary

Published
12 November 2019
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4165

Location

كفرنبل, Kafar Nabil, Idlib, Syria
At least two civilians, including a woman, were killed and around seven civilians were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on the city of Kafar Nabil, Idlib governorate, on November 12th, 2019. In addition, five militants were reported killed. Step News Agency reporter Omar Al Omar stated that "Russian warplanes have launched several raids with vacuum…

Summary

Published
12 November 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2–8
Civilians reported injured
7
Military actors reported killed
5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4166

Location

شنان, Shannan, Idlib, Syria
Two to three civilians, including at least one woman, were killed and nine civilians, including five children and two women, were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Shannan, Idlib governorate, on November 12th, 2019, according to local sources. Idlib Plus reported that "three civilians, including a woman, were killed and nine others,…

Summary

Published
12 November 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2–3
Civilians reported injured
9
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4167

Location

معرة حرمة, Maarat Harma, Idlib, Syria
According to local sources, three civilians including a woman and a volunteer with the Syrian Civil Defense (White Helmets) called Ahmad Ali al-Ali were reported killed, and between four and seven others injured including a woman and five volunteers from White Helmets when Russian forces or the Syrian regime allegedly targeted Ma'aret Harma and the…

Summary

Published
12 November 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
4–7
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident