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

22 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4071

Location

دير الشرقي, Deir Al Sharqi, Idlib, Syria
Five civilians were reported killed in alleged Russian and/or regime airstrikes on Deir Al Sharqi, Idlib, on August 22nd, 2019. Step Agency reported that "Russian and Syrian warplanes targeted [a number of locations], and five civilians were killed in Deir Sharqi". Two other sources documented the airstrikes, including Macro Media Center which reported that "warplanes…

Summary

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

Incident Date

22 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4070

Location

تل منس, Tal Menes, Idlib, Syria
Two civilians were reported killed in airstrikes on Tal Menes, Idlib, on August 22nd. Shaam News cited the death of two civilians, including a child, in Tal Menes as a result of Russian and Syrian regime military action in a number of locations, including Tal Menes. Halab Today stated that "a child and a man…

Summary

Published
22 August 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

22–23 August, 2019

Incident Code

RS4072

Location

معرة النعمان, Ma`arat Al Nu`man, Idlib, Syria
Two to three civilians were reported killed in airstrikes on Ma`arat Al Nu`man, Idlib, on August 22nd. Edlib Media Center cited "two martyrs and several wounded, as a result of the regime's helicopter bombardment with explosive barrels on the southern neighborhood of Ma'rat Al-Nu`man city." Meanwhile, Syria Civil Defense stated that "three civilians were killed…

Summary

Published
22 August 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
2–3
Civilians reported injured
6–7
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

21 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4063

Location

تل منس, Tal Mnes, Idlib, Syria
One to three civilians were reported killed, and one to five wounded, in three to four airstrikes on Al Rahman hospital in Tal Mnes village, Idlib, on August 21st, 2019. Of the civilians killed, one may have been a child - according to Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which identified those killed in Tal Mnes…

Summary

Published
21 August 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
1–3
Civilians reported injured
1–5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

21 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4064

Location

البشيرية, Al Bashiriya, Idlib, Syria
One to two civilians, including a child, were reported killed and between three and five civilians were injured in airstrikes on Al Bashiriya, Idlib, on August 21st, 2019. One child was initially reported killed, yet as understanding of events unfolded, Jisr Media Center reported that "the death toll of the martyrs in the town of…

Summary

Published
21 August 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
1–3
Civilians reported injured
3–5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

21 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4065

Location

سراقب, Saraqib, Idlib, Syria
Between two and three civilians, including as many as two children and a woman, were reported injured in airstrikes on Saraqib, Idlib, on August 21st, 2019. Syria Civil Defense and Edlib Media Center documented "three wounded, including two children, after warplanes targeted the city of Saraqib, east of Idlib with rockets." A tweet from @NEDAAPOST…

Summary

Published
21 August 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported injured
2–3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident