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

19 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4053

Location

معرة النعمان, Ma'aret al-Nu'man, Idlib, Syria
One to two civilians were reported killed in airstrikes on Ma'aret al-Nu'man, Idlib, on August 19th. Smart News documented "two civilians killed by regime warplanes on the outskirts of Ma'aret al-Nu'man city, south of Idlib", while @abuhuzaifa_ tweeted, "civilians wounded due to warplanes shelling residential neighborhoods of Ma'aret al-Nu'man city with vacuum missiles." Meanwhile @IdlibPlus…

Summary

Published
19 August 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

19 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4054

Location

حيش, Heesh, Idlib, Syria
Three civilians, including a child, were reported killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Heesh, Idlib, on August 19th 2019. Smart News cited "two civilians killed by Russian warplanes in Heesh town, south of Idlib" and @jisrtv tweeted that two civilians had been killed in the strike. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights documented "the death…

Summary

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

Incident Date

18 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4046

Location

كفرسجنة, Kafr Sijnah, Idlib, Syria
During another day of heavy Russian and Assad regime strikes on rebel-held areas of Idlib, one civilian was reported killed and another wounded in Kafr Sijnah according to local sources. A tweet from @baladinetwork identified a "martyr and wounded as a result of Russian warplanes targeting the town of Kafr Sijnah." Shaam News noted that…

Summary

Published
18 August 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

Incident Date

18 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4045

Location

معرة حرمة, Ma'arat Hurma, Idlib, Syria
One civilian was reported killed at Ma'arat Hurma on August 18th during the ongoing assault on rebel held areas by Russia in support of the regime. Shaam News reported the death of one civilian at the hands of suspected Russian aircraft at Ma'arat Hurma - giving the date as August 18th. Two named civilians had…

Summary

Published
18 August 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

18 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4047

Location

الحامدية, Al Hamediya, Idlib, Syria
One named civilian was reported killed and two White Helmet rescuers injured in a reported Russian strike on Al Hamediya in Idlib. According to the Syrian Network, "Russian forces killed a civilian in al Hamediya area in Idlib: Abdul Qader Mahmoud al Asfar was killed as fixed- wing warplanes we believe were Russian fired missiles on…

Summary

Published
18 August 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

18 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4048

Location

معرة النعمان, Ma`arat Al Nu`man, Idlib, Syria
One to two civilians were reported killed, and others injured, in airstrikes on Al Hamidiah in Ma`arat Al Nu`man, Idlib, on August 18th. Shaam News documented "two martyrs killed in Maarat al-Nu'man", while other sources cited one civilian killed in the incident. @IdlibPlus tweeted "a civilian martyr and a number of injuries were reported as…

Summary

Published
18 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