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

26 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4079

Location

كفرسجنة, Kafar Sijna, Idlib, Syria
Two civilian males died and others were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Kafar Sijna on August 26, 2019, according to local media. The Step News Agency reported: "Russian warplanes targeted the town of Kafar Sijnain in the southern countryside of Idlib with missiles, killing two people as a toll and injuring a number…

Summary

Published
26 August 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
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

26 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4080

Location

كفرنبل, Kafar Nabil, Idlib, Syria
Up to five civilians died and others were wounded in an alleged Russian or regime air or artillery strike on Kafar Nabil, local media reported on August 26, 2019. Smart reported: "The media activist in the city Baha Sweden said that Russian aircraft launched missile strikes on residential neighborhoods coinciding with artillery and rocket shelling…

Summary

Published
26 August 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1–5
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4081

Location

احسم, Ahsem, Idlib, Syria
Five or six civilians including two children were reportedly wounded in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on Ahsem. Sources said that both a secondary school and a mosque were struck. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, "Fixed- wing warplanes we believe were Russian fired missiles on Ihsem Secondary School in Ihsem…

Summary

Published
26 August 2019
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported injured
5–6
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4082

Location

Abdita, Idlib, Syria
Two children and their mother were reported killed, and others injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Abdita in Idlib on August 26th, 2019. Local sources identified the three victims as Jad Mahmoud Al-Ismail (child), Ahmed Mahmoud Al-Ismail (child) and Dalia Ahmed Fadl (most likely their mother). The Syrian Network for Human Rights…

Summary

Published
26 August 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4083

Location

كفرعويد, Kafr Aouid, Idlib, Syria
Between two and three civilians died and 12 more were wounded in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on Kafr Aouid, local media reported. Most sources blamed the regime, though there was also a report that Russia had been active over the area and a tweet from @ahmaad_yosef identified Russian planes as being responsible. According…

Summary

Published
26 August 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2–3
Civilians reported injured
12
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

25 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4074

Location

Tal Mnes, Idlib, Syria
Up to six civilians including women and children died in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes on Tal Mnes on August 25, 2019, according to local media. Smart reported: "Three children and two women were killed and 10 civilians were taken to nearby field hospitals as a result of the regime's warplanes shelling residential neighborhoods in…

Summary

Published
25 August 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1–6
Civilians reported injured
1–10
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident