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

18 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4049

Location

معرة النعمان, Ma'aret al-Nu'man, Idlib, Syria
One civilian was reported killed and two members of Syrian Civil Defense injured in the second of two consecutive alleged Russian airstrikes on Ma'aret al-Nu'man, Idlib, on August 18th, 2019. Shaam News reported that, following a previous airstrike, "when civil defense teams arrived at the site to evacuate the wounded, Russian warplanes repeated its raids…

Summary

Published
18 August 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
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

18 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4050

Location

حاس, Hass, Idlib, Syria
One child was reported killed in airstrikes on Hass, Idlib, on August 18th. Syrian Network for Human Rights stated that "the child Adib Mustafa Qal’a Ji was killed as warplanes we believe were Russian fired missiles on Hass village in the southern suburbs of Idlib governorate, on August 18th." Halab Today also reported that "a…

Summary

Published
18 August 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
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

17 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4041

Location

دير شرقي, Dier Sharqi, Idlib, Syria
Seven to eight civilians, including four to eight children and as many as two women, were reported killed in alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime airstrikes on Dier Sharqi, Idlib, on August 17th. A number of sources stated that all casualties were from the same family, and included only women and children. A tweet by @zamanalwsl…

Summary

Published
17 August 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
7–8
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

17 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4042

Location

معرة النعمان, Ma`arat Al Nu`man, Idlib, Syria
One to two civilians were reported killed in airstrikes on Ma`arat Al Nu`man, Idlib, on August 17th. Shaam News reported that "two martyrs fell in Ma`arat al-Nu'man" as a result of "Assad's and Russia's warplanes and helicopters launch[ing] dozens of airstrikes" on a number of locations. Meanwhile, Baladi News stated that "warplanes bombed the city…

Summary

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

Incident Date

17 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4043

Location

كفرنبل, Kafr Nabl, Idlib, Syria
Two civilians, including a child, were reported killed in airstrikes on Kafr Nabl, Idlib, on August 17th. Syrian Network for Human Rights stated that "Russian forces killed two civilians from the same family in Kafr Nabl city in Idlib: Othman Abdul Naser al Ta’ta’ and the child Abdul Naser Shahhoud al Ta’ta’ were killed as warplanes…

Summary

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

Incident Date

17 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4044

Location

معرة حرمة, Ma`arat Horma, Idlib, Syria
Two civilians were reported killed, and three others injured, in airstrikes on Ma`arat Horma, Idlib, on August 17th, 2019. Syria Civil Defense stated that "one man was martyred and three others were injured as a result of an airstrike targeting Maarat Horma town in the southern countryside of Idlib." A video posted by SCD shows…

Summary

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