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

25 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4075

Location

معرشورين, Ma'ar Shourin, Idlib, Syria
Local media reported between one and two civilians killed and an unspecified number wounded in an alleged Russia or regime airstrike on Ma'ar Shourin in August 25, 2019. A tweet by @omar_alhalaby alleged that "Russian warplanes target civilians' cars while they are fleeing the town as a result of the violent bombardment on them, which…

Summary

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

Incident Date

25 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4076

Location

الهلبة, Al Halba, Idlib, Syria
Local media reported one civilian killed and an unspecified number wounded in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on Al Halba on August 25, 2019. Horrya News reported that one civilian was killed in "Russian-Assadi aggression." Orient News also identified one man killed in Al Halba. Syrian Network for Human Rights also named Jamal Abdul…

Summary

Published
25 August 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

25–26 August, 2019

Incident Code

RS4077

Location

بسقلا, Bsaqla, Idlib, Syria
Local media reported that at least three civilians including a woman and a girl were killed and many were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Bsaqla on the morning of August 25, 2019. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, "at least three civilians, including a girl and her mother, were killed as…

Summary

Published
25 August 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Civilians reported injured
2–5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

25–26 August, 2019

Incident Code

RS4078

Location

معرة حرمة, Ma`arat Horma, Idlib, Syria
At least one civilian was killed and at least two civilians were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes against the village of Ma’aret Harma in Idlib governorate on August 25, 2019. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, "Fadi Turki al Athab was killed as fixed- wing warplanes we believe were Russian fired missiles on…

Summary

Published
25 August 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2–3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

24 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4073

Location

بلدات متعددة في ادلب, Several towns in Idlib, Idlib, Syria
Baladi reported: "Four civilians were killed and others were injured on Monday in shelling of warplanes in different areas of the towns and villages of Jabal Al-Zawiya in the southern countryside of Idlib." According to Shaam, "Russian and Assad warplanes launched fierce air raids targeting the cities and towns of Ma`arat al-Nu'man, Kafar Nabil, Al…

Summary

Published
24 August 2019
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

22 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4069

Location

كفرنبل, Kafr Nabl, Idlib, Syria
Four civilians from the same family were reported wounded in airstrikes on Kafr Nabl, Idlib, on August 22nd. Syria.liveuamap stated that "several civilians were injured as a result of air strikes targeting the city of Kafr Nabl, south of Idlib." Edlib Media Center also documented "civilians wounded due to the regime's warplanes' rocket launchers targeting…

Summary

Published
22 August 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported injured
4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident