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

RS4024

Location

كفرسجنة, Kafr Sijnah, Idlib, Syria
One civilian was reported killed and others injured in airstrikes on Kafr Sijnah, Idlib, on August 14th. Edlib Media Center stated that "one person [was] martyred in Kafr Sijnah town after warplane raids on the town this morning." Meanwhile, Syrian Network for Human Rights stated that "Ahmad al Eisa was killed as Syrian regime warplanes…

Summary

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

Incident Date

14 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4026

Location

كصنفرة, Kansafra, Idlib, Syria
Civilians were reported injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Kansafra, Idlib, on August 14th. Macro Media Center reported that "civilians [were] wounded as a result of the shelling by Russian warplanes with vacuum missiles on the residential neighborhoods of Kansafra town in the southern countryside of Idlib." Edlib Media Center also reported that "civilians were…

Summary

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

Incident Date

13 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4016

Location

كفر سجنة, Kafr Sijnah, Idlib, Syria
According to the Syrian Civil Defense, on Aug 13th, 2019,  four women and two children were wounded in a cluster air bombardment on the town of Kafr Sijnah in Idlib. Local sources reported Russian and Syrian regime military activity with vacuum and high explosive missiles in the area on that day and blamed both.

Summary

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

Incident Date

13 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4017

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Ma'arat al-Numan, Syria
Three civilians were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib governorate, on August 13th, 2019, according to local sources. Eight others were injured. Two of the injured victims, including a child, passed away on August 18th due to the injuries they sustained in the strikes. Step Agency reported that "Russian…

Summary

Published
13 August 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
6
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

13 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4018

Location

الصالحية, Al Salehiya, Idlib, Syria
Up to three children were reported killed and their father injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime night airstrikes on Al Salehiya, Idlib, on August 13th, 2019. A woman was also reported killed in the attack, and it is unclear whether she is related to the other victims. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and Step…

Summary

Published
13 August 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

13 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4019

Location

جرجناز, Jarjanaz, Idlib, Syria
Up to 16 civilians were reported injured in airstrikes on Jarjanaz, Idlib, on August 13th. Halab today stated that "nine people, including four women and two children, were injured in aerial cluster bombardment on Jarjanaz town." According to Zaman Al Wasel, White Helmets confirmed that three men and four women were wounded by shelling with…

Summary

Published
13 August 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
9–16
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident