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

5 October 2019

Incident Code

RS4108

Location

تل الأغر والبليصة, Tal Al Aghar and Al Balisa, Idlib, Syria
Alleged Russian warplanes launched six airstrikes on the towns of Tal Al Aghar and Al Balisa, Idlib governorate, on October 5th 2019. One source, Step Agency, reported that civilians were killed and wounded. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the alleged Russian airstrikes were targeting the the jihadi organisations Hurras Al Din and…

Summary

Published
5 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

13 September 2019

Incident Code

RS4105

Location

بانص, Banes, Aleppo, Syria
At least one civilian was injured on September 13, 2019 after the explosion of a cluster bomb that was allegedly dropped by Russian or regime warplanes on the village of Banes, Aleppo governorate, according to local sources. A tweet from @SyriaCivilDefe reported "A civilian was injured due to the detonation of a cluster bomb remnants…

Summary

Published
13 September 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Planted explosives and unexploded ordnance (UXO)
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

13 September 2019

Incident Code

RS4106

Location

كفرنبل, Kafr Nabl, Idlib, Syria
Two civilians, a man and a woman, were killed and others were wounded in alleged Russian or regime cluster bombings of Kafr Nabl, south of Idlib, on September 13, 2019. @baladinetwork identified "Two martyrs were killed by a missile strike by the regime forces on the city of Kafr Nabl in the southern countryside of…

Summary

Published
13 September 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

13 September 2019

Incident Code

RS4104

Location

معرة النعمان, Ma’aret Al Nu’man, Idlib, Syria
Two to three civilians, one of which was a child, were killed and five or six other civilians, including two women and a child, were injured in airstrikes on the city of Ma’aret Al Nu’man, Idlib on September 13, 2019. A tweet by @anasanas84 named the child killed as Islam Muhammad Al-Sader. Justice organization named…

Summary

Published
13 September 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
2–3
Civilians reported injured
5–6
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

13 September 2019

Incident Code

RS4103

Location

عيناتا, Aynata (Al Rouj plains), Idlib, Syria
One civilian died due to his injuries after an alleged Russian airstrike on the village of Aynata on the Al Rouj plains, Idlib, after midnight on September 12th/13th 2019, according to The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Civil Defence volunteers on the ground stated that it was Russian aircraft that carried out the night raids.…

Summary

Published
13 September 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
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

12 September 2019

Incident Code

RS4102

Location

سرجة, Sarja, Idlib, Syria
One child was killed and another child was injured in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes on Sarja the morning of September 12th 2019, according to local sources. According to @SyriaCivilDefe, "A child was killed and another child was injured, as a result of targeting the outskirts of Sarjah village in Idlib countryside this morning." In…

Summary

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