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 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4058

Location

بنين, Binin, Idlib, Syria
At least two civilians were reported killed and between four and six civilians were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Binin, Idlib, on August 20th. @ShahbaPress tweeted that "two civilians [were] martyred and wounded due to an airstrike by Russian occupation aircraft on the village of Binin south of Idlib." Syria Civil Defense stated that…

Summary

Published
20 August 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Infrastructure
Agriculture
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
4–6
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

20 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4059

Location

معرة النعمان, Ma`arat Al Nu`man, Idlib, Syria
Two civilians, including a child, were reported killed in airstrikes on Ma`arat Al Nu`man, Idlib, on August 20th. The Syrian Human Rights Committee documented the death of Rami al-Jarak as a result of Russian bombing of the city of Ma'arat al-Numan. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights stated that "two men" were killed "in a Russian…

Summary

Published
20 August 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
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

20 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4060

Location

بلدة التح, Al Tah Town, Idlib, Syria
One civilian was reported killed and others wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Tah Town, Idlib, on August 20th, 2019. Edlib Media Center documented "a martyr and several wounded after the Russian occupation forces targeted the town of Al Tah, south of Idlib, with vacuum missiles." Macro Media Center and Syrian Network for Human…

Summary

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

Incident Date

19 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4055

Location

كفرنبل, Kafr Nabl, Idlib, Syria
One to two civilians were reported killed and others wounded in airstrikes on Kafr Nabl, Idlib, on August 19th, 2019. Local Coordination Committee for Syria documented "a martyr and a number of wounded [..] due to the shelling of Russian warplanes on the city of Kafr Nabl in the southern countryside of Idlib." Macro Media…

Summary

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

Incident Date

19 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4051

Location

الدير الشرقي, Deir Al Sharqi, Idlib, Syria
A civilian was reported killed during Russian bombing of Deir al Sharqi in Idlib. According to Baladi News, "A civilian was killed at dawn on Monday when Russian warplanes bombed town of Deir Al Sharqi in the southern countryside of Idlib. The correspondent of Baladi News said that the cities, towns and villages of the southern…

Summary

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

Incident Date

19 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4052

Location

معرة النعمان, Ma'aret al-Nu'man, Idlib, Syria
A Turkish military convoy crewed by civilian personnel came under air attack from regime forces (or possibly Russian) - leading to the reported deaths of up to three civilians and the injuring of a further 12. According to some sources, the convoy appeared to be attempting to deliver heavy armour including tanks and armoured personnel…

Summary

Published
19 August 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2–3
Civilians reported injured
12
Military actors reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident