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

20 October 2019

Incident Code

RS4115

Location

Idlib governorate, Idlib, Syria
One civilian was killed and another wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes targeting the perimeter of the villages of Kafrnabal, Amreya, Kafarsijnah, Maarat Harmah, Ma'rzita, Mukha and Sheikh Dams in Idlib governorate, according to local sources. @SyrianCoalition wrote that 11 airstrikes targeted 9 areas in Southern Idlib, in addition to 55 artillery shells.

Summary

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

Incident Date

20 October 2019

Incident Code

RS4116

Location

حيش, Heesh, Idlib, Syria
One civilian was allegedly injured as a result of Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes or shelling on Heesh in Idlib on October 20th, 2019. While @baladinetwork and @ZaitunAgency blamed the Syria regime, @Sentry_Syria  reported that a reconnaissance plane was flying in a circular direction on Heesh on that day, which could be an accusation to…

Summary

Published
20 October 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

19 October 2019

Incident Code

RS4113

Location

معرزيتا, Ma’ar Zieta, Idlib, Syria
Several civilians were wounded and civilian property was significantly damaged in an alleged Russian airstrike on the town of Maarzita, Idlib governorate, on October 19th, 2019, as reported by several local sources. Shaam Network reported that "activists said that Russian warplanes bombed the town of Ma`ar zieta this morning with several raids, recording several wounded…

Summary

Published
19 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

19 October 2019

Incident Code

RS4114

Location

تفتناز, Taftanaz, Idlib, Syria
A man and woman from the town of Binnish were killed and three of their children injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on a house in Taftanaz, Idlib governorate, on October 19th 2019, according to several local sources. @SyriaCivilDefe reported that Russian warplanes bombarded the outskirts of Taftanaz town in the morning. The victims have…

Summary

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

Incident Date

18 October 2019

Incident Code

RS4111

Location

الركايا, Rakaya and Naqir, Idlib, Syria
Alleged Russian warplanes launched air and artillery strikes targeting the villages of Rakaya and Naqir, Idlib governorate, on October 18th 2019, as reported by Shaam Network. Step Agency adds that in total 'about 60 rockets and artillery shells' landed in the governorate of Idlib, which left an unspecified amount of 'civilians dead and wounded'. Currently,…

Summary

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

Incident Date

17 October 2019

Incident Code

RS4109

Location

Rakaya, Naqir and Kafr Sanja, Idlib, Syria
Alleged Russian warplanes carried out air raids on the towns of Rakaya, Naqir and Kafr Sanja, Idlib governorate on October 17th 2019, as reported by Shaam Network. Shaam Network mentioned 'a number of civilian casualties'. According to Syriahr, there is currently no more information on civilian casualties available.

Summary

Published
17 October 2019
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident