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

14 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4027

Location

معرة النعمان, Ma’aret Al Nu’man, Idlib, Syria
Four civilians were reported killed and others wounded in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ma’aret Al Nu’man, Idlib, on August 14th. Step Agency tweeted that "three civilians, including a woman, have been killed and others injured due to raids targeting the city of Ma'ret Al Nu’man, south of Idlib." Meanwhile Shaam News and…

Summary

Published
14 August 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

14 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4028

Location

كفرنبل, Kafar Nabil, Idlib, Syria
One to two civilians were reported killed and others injured in airstrikes on Kafar Nabil, Idlib, on August 14th. Shaam News reported that "two civilians were martyred" in the attack while Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, and other sources, documented "one civilian who was killed in aerial bombardment by the Russian warplanes on the outskirts…

Summary

Published
14 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

14 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4029

Location

مدايا, Madaya, Idlib, Syria
One civilian was reported killed in airstrikes on Madaya, Idlib, on August 14th. Syrian Network for Human Rights stated that "Hussein Ali al Rayya, from Ma’aret Harma village in the southern suburbs of Idlib governorate, was killed as Syrian regime warplanes carried out a strike using machine guns on the vicinity of Madaya village in…

Summary

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

Incident Date

14 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4030

Location

بداما, Bdama, Idlib, Syria
One civilian was reported killed and others injured in airstrikes on Bdama, Idlib, on August 14th. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights stated that "a citizen was killed as a result of rocket shelling that targeted Bdama town in Jisr Al-Shughur countryside west of Idlib." Bdama Voice named the civilian killed as Ahmad Mohammed Abdo. Bdama voice…

Summary

Published
14 August 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2–3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

14 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4020

Location

بلدات متعددة في ادلب, Several towns in Idlib, Idlib, Syria
Shaam News reported that "Russian and regime warplanes launched dozens of airstrikes and artillery and rocket shelling were carried out by warplanes, helicopters and missiles in Idlib." The agency reported unspecified  "wounded in all of Kfarsjnh, Kfroma, Tarmla, Bskla, Kfarbasin, Kfarwasid, Sheikh Mustafa, Alrkaya, Umm Zaytouna, Umm Jalal, Teraa, Almanmah, Hish, Altah, Mardam, Sfohn, Mufuqat,…

Summary

Published
14 August 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported injured
2–12
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

14 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4031

Location

بسقيا قرب معرة حرمة, Bsqia near Ma’ret Harma, Idlib, Syria
In the first of two consecutive airstrikes near Ma’ret Harma, Idlib, two medical workers for Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS) were reported killed on August 14th. SMAS USA reported "a SAMS-supported ambulance center in Ma’aret Hurmeh in southern Idlib province was targeted by six airstrikes, resulting in the death of two employees: Mohamad Hussni Mishnen,…

Summary

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