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

12 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4162

Location

قريه الجدار, Al Jidar village, Idlib, Syria
Two men were reported injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on al-Jidar village in Idlib on November 12th, 2019 according to local sources. No more details available at the moment.

Summary

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

Incident Date

12 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4163

Location

كفروما, Kafar Rouma, Idlib, Syria
A man was reported injured in an alleged Russian forces airstrike on Kafar Rouma in Idlib, Syria on November 12th, 2019 according to local sources. IdlibPlus reported that " a man was injured in the town of Kfarouma as a result of the targeting of his home by a Russian aircraft by a raid of…

Summary

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

Incident Date

12 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4168

Location

كفرسجنة, Kafar Sijna, Idlib, Syria
Three civilians of the same family were reported killed and three others injured in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime forces airstrike on Kafar Sijna, Idlib in Syria on November 12th, 2019. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), three brothers were killed and three others injured due to barrel bombs dropped by…

Summary

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

Incident Date

11 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4159

Location

بلدة بسقلا, Bsaqla, Idlib, Syria
A child was killed and at least one woman injured in alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime artillery strikes on the village of Bsaqla on November 11th 2019, according to local sources. The Syrian Network for Human Rights identified the victim as child Mustafa Yaser al Hasan from Ma’ar Zita village. Step News agency put the number…

Summary

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

Incident Date

11 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4160

Location

كفرومار, Kafrouma, Idlib, Syria
One women was killed and others were wounded in alleged Russian or Syrian regime air and/or artillery strikes on the town of Kafrouma, Idlib governorate, on November 11th 2019, according to local sources. Smart News Agency reported that "a woman was killed as a result of rocket shelling on the village of Kfarouma, south of…

Summary

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

Incident Date

11 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4161

Location

معرة حرمة, Ma’aret Harma, Idlib, Syria
One woman was reportedly killed and three male civilians were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Ma'aret Harma, Idlib governorate, on November 11th, 2019, according to local sources. Activists told Smart News Agency that a woman was killed in an alleged Russian rocket strike. Moataz Al Ali, director of the Civil Defence Center…

Summary

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