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

17 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4039

Location

بلدات متعددة في ادلب, Several towns in Idlib, Idlib, Syria
Shaam News reported a number of airstrikes in a range of locations undertaken by both Russian forces and the Syrian regime on August 17th. Among this report, Shaam News stated that "many of the wounded were in Khan Shiekhoon, Naqir, al-Rakaya, Kafarsijnah, Ma'arzita, Sheikh Dams, Hazarin, Shaykh Mustafa, Ma'rshurin, Haysh, Karsa, and Kfaruma." No other…

Summary

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

Incident Date

17 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4040

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Ma'arat al-Numan, Syria
Two civilians were reported killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, on August 17th. Syrian Network for Human Rights stated that "Mohammad Ma’arati and Abdul Latif Tallawi were killed as warplanes we believe were Russian fired missiles on Khan Sheikhoun city in the southern suburbs of Idlib governorate, on August 17th". Syrian Observatory…

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

16 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4036

Location

Qaryal al Rahma near Hass, Idlib, Syria
Up to 20 civilians, including children and a pregnant woman, were reported killed and up to 52 others injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Qaryat al Rahma which contains an IDP residential compound near Hass, Idlib, on August 16th, 2019. Local sources named 19 of those killed in the incident including at least three children.…

Summary

Published
16 August 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Residential, Commerce (Shop), IDP or Refugee Camp
Civilians reported killed
19–20
Civilians reported injured
13–52
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

16 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4035

Location

اريحا, Ariha, Idlib, Syria
Four civilians including two children were reported killed and 20 others injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ariha in Idlib on August 16th, 2019. Dala'a Mutee' Bakir or Dala'a Khaldoun Bakir was reported killed first, and then three other wounded civilians died after few days due to their wounds sustained on August…

Summary

Published
16 August 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
20
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

16 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4037

Location

الغدفة, Al Ghadfa, Idlib, Syria
One child was reported killed and at least three other civilians were injured in airstrikes on Al Ghadfa, Idlib, on August 16th, 2019. Both Shaam News and Step Agency reported that "Russian and Syrian warplanes launched several airstrikes" on a number of cities and towns including Al Ghadfa, on August 16th. Shaam News and other…

Summary

Published
16 August 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

16 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4038

Location

حيش, Hiysh, Idlib, Syria
At least one woman was killed and a woman and "others" were reported injured in airstrikes on Hiysh, Idlib, on August 16th. Syrian Network for Human Rights names Mrs. Eman Shahhoud al Azraq, from Khan Sheikhoun city, as the victim killed in airstrikes by the Syrian regime on Hiysh. Smart News reported, "Russian warplanes shelling…

Summary

Published
16 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