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

28 October 2019

Incident Code

RS4121

Location

دار الكبيرة, Dar Al Kabira, Idlib, Syria
Two civilians were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Dar Al Kabira, Idlib countryside, on October 28th, 2019, according to local sources. The Syrian Civil Defence reported on Facebook that civilian homes were targeted. All three sources attributed the strikes to Russia. No further details are currently available.

Summary

Published
28 October 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

28 October 2019

Incident Code

RS4122

Location

بلدات متعددة, Several towns in Idlib, Idlib, Syria
The Shaam News Network reported: "Russian warplanes launched fierce airstrikes targeting the city of Kafranbel, the towns of Rakaya, Hass, Hazarin, Fatira, Dar al-Kabira and Jibala .The Assad artillery bombarded the town of Ma'rat Harmah, resulting in the fall of three martyrs in Kafr Nabil and several wounded in the rest of the regions". No…

Summary

Published
28 October 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26 October 2019

Incident Code

RS4120

Location

تقاد, Tiqad village, Aleppo, Syria
One to two civilians were injured by alleged Russian airstrikes on a farm in the village of Fiqad, Aleppo countryside, on October 26th, 2019, according to local sources. The Smart News agency reported: "A civilian was injured on Saturday by Russian air strikes on a village west of Aleppo in northern Syria." Local activists told…

Summary

Published
26 October 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Agriculture
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

24 October 2019

Incident Code

RS4119

Location

الجانودية, Al Janoudia, Idlib, Syria
Seven or eight civilians died and 15 to 18 others were wounded in alleged regime or Russian strikes on Al Janoudia the afternoon of October 24, 2019, local media reported. Edlib Media Centre reported: "Artillery and rocket shelling by regime forces targeted the town of al-Janodiya in the Jisr al-Shughour area of ​​western Idlib countryside…

Summary

Published
24 October 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
7–8
Civilians reported injured
15–18
Military actors reported killed
0–1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

23 October 2019

Incident Code

RS4118

Location

معرة النعمان, Ma'aret al-Nu'man, Idlib, Syria
One civilian was killed on October 20th, 2019, by fragments from an unexploded cluster bomb that was dropped earlier by alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime warplanes in the city of Ma'aret al-Nu'man, as reported by several local sources. It is unclear when the bomb was dropped. Mostafa Abo Abdo said that the explosion took place…

Summary

Published
23 October 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Planted explosives and unexploded ordnance (UXO)
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

23 October 2019

Incident Code

RS4117

Location

بلدات متعدده, Several towns in Idlib, Idlib, Syria
The Shaam News Network reported: "Russian warplanes launched air strikes amid artillery shelling by the Assad forces on the city of Kafrnabal and the towns of Maarat Harmah, Hazarin, Al-Rakaya, Kafarsijah, Al-Taht, Sheikh Mustafa, Babolin, Rakaya Sijnah, Al-Raffa, Umm Jalal and Tal al-Nar, which resulted in civilian casualties." No further details are currently available.

Summary

Published
23 October 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident