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

7 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4148

Location

مشمشان, Mishmishan, Idlib, Syria
Up to two children were reported killed and between four and seven civilians were injured in an alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime forces airstrike on Mishmishan in Jisr al Shoghour, Idlib - Syria on November 7th, 2019 according to local sources. It was reported that four civilians of the same family were among the…

Summary

Published
7 November 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
4–7
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

6 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4139

Location

مرديخ, Mardikh, Idlib, Syria
One civilian was reportedly wounded by alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Mardikh, Idlib governorate, on November 6th 2019, according to local sources. Two locally filmed videos showed what appeared to be multiple strikes targeting the location. IdlibPlus reported one wounded civilian. Various other sources reported on the incident but did not identify civilian…

Summary

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

Incident Date

6 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4140

Location

بلدات متعددة, several towns, Syria
Several towns in Idlib governorate were targeted by alleged Russian airstrikes on November 6th, 2019, according to Shaam News Network. The Shaam News Network reported: "many wounded in the city of Kfarnbl and in the vicinity of the city of Ma'arat al-Numan, and the towns of Kfarsjnh, Rkaya, Shanan and Sahhal, Najia and Musharrafa, Sheikh…

Summary

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

Incident Date

6 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4141

Location

بلدة معرشورين, Maashuren town, Idlib, Syria
Three civilians died and two more were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Maashuren town, according to local media. The Step News Agency reported: "Russian aircraft targeted the town of Maarshuren in the eastern countryside of Idlib, killing three civilians and wounding two others seriously." The Shaam News Network also noted a death toll…

Summary

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

Incident Date

6 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4145

Location

بلدة السحارة, Sahara town, western Aleppo countryside, Aleppo, Syria
As many as eight civilians, including children and women, died and up to 29 more were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on civilian homes and adjacent locations in Sahara town, western Aleppo countryside at noon on November 6, 2019, according to sources on the ground. The New York Times later geolocated the event. The lowest…

Summary

Published
6 November 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2–8
Civilians reported injured
12–29
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

6 November 2019

Incident Code

RS4144

Location

معرة النعمان, Ma’aret Al Nu’man, Idlib, Syria
One civilian was killed and three others were wounded after an unexploded cluster bomb of an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike was detonated in Ma’aret Al Nu’man, Idlib governorate, on November 6th, 2019. Justice Organization identified the victim as Omar Al Bassas. A tweet from @NagiNajjar reported "the death of the young man, “Omar…

Summary

Published
6 November 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
3
Causes of Death / Injury
Planted explosives and unexploded ordnance (UXO)
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident