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

13 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4015

Location

التمانعة, Al Taman’a, Idlib, Syria
One civilian was reported wounded in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes or artillery shelling on Al Taman’a in Idlib on August 13th, 2019. No further details are available at the moment.

Summary

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

Incident Date

12 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4009

Location

معرة حرمة, Ma’aret Harma, Idlib, Syria
One civilian was reported killed and an unknown number of others were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ma’arat Harma, Idlib governorate, on August 12th, 2019, according to local sources. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights documented "the death of a citizen and the injury of several others in a bombing by…

Summary

Published
12 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

12 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4010

Location

كفرنبل, Kafar Nabil, Idlib, Syria
Five civilians, including three women, were reported injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafar Nabil, Idlib governorate, on August 12th, 2019, according to local sources. Syria Civil Defense stated that "five civilians, including three women, were injured in warplanes' airstrikes on the houses of civilians in the centre of Kafar Nabil." Shaam News Network reported…

Summary

Published
12 August 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4011

Location

حيش, Heesh, Idlib, Syria
Five civilians, including a child, were reported injured in alleged Russian or Syiran regime airstrikes in Heesh, Idlib governorate, on August 12th, 2019, according to local sources. Orient News stated that "four men and a child" were injured in Heesh "as a result of aerial bombardment by Assad's warplanes on the area". Shaam News Network…

Summary

Published
12 August 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4012

Location

التمانعة, Al Taman’a, Idlib, Syria
Five men were reportedly injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime air and/or artillery strikes in Al Taman’a, Idlib, on August 12th, 2019, according to local sources. Shaam News documented "wounded civilians" in a number of cities and towns, including Al Taman’a, after "Russian and regime warplanes and helicopters launched airstrikes accompanied by very heavy…

Summary

Published
12 August 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported injured
5
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

12 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4013

Location

بداما, Bdama, Idlib, Syria
Two civilians were reported injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime air and/or artillery strikes in Bdama, Idlib governorate, on August 12th, 2019, according to local sources. Jisr Media Center and Orient News stated that "a man and a woman were injured by artillery shelling in the town of Bdama." Shaam News Network also documented…

Summary

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