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

12 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4014

Location

بلدات متعددة في ادلب, Several towns in Idlib, Idlib, Syria
A single source reported "many wounded" after alleged Russian air and artillery strikes on several towns and cities in Idlib governorate on August 12th, 2019. Shaam News Network reported "many wounded among civilians in the cities and towns of Khan Sheikhoun, Kafrnabal, Al Taman'a, Kafarsijnah, Aleya, Hish, Karsa, Naqir, Mudaya, Umm Jalal, Sheikh Mustafa, Sheikh…

Summary

Published
12 August 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported injured
5–10
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

11 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4003

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Ma'arat al-Numan, Syria
One civilian was reported killed in airstrikes on Khan Sheikoun, Idlib, on August 11th. Shaam News reported that "Russian and Regime warplanes and helicopters launched airstrikes on the first day of Eid al-Adha, leaving a martyr in Khan Sheikhoun." The Syrian Human Rights Committee also said that  "three people, including a child, were killed as…

Summary

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

Incident Date

11 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4005

Location

حاس, Hass, Idlib, Syria
One child was reported killed, and up to five including two children were injured in an alleged Russian or Syrian airstrike or artillery shelling on Hass, Idlib in the afternoon of August 11th, which was the first day of Eid Al-Adha. The Syrian Network for Human Rights named the child as Mohammad Thaer Qal`aji. Macro…

Summary

Published
11 August 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2–5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

11 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4006

Location

حزارين, Hazzareen/Hazarin, Idlib, Syria
Three civilians were reported killed, and five to11 including an elderly woman injured, in airstrikes on Hazzareen, Idlib, on August 11th. Smart News documented "destroyed houses on August 11th, 2019, in the village of Hazareen in southern Idlib governorate in the north of the country as a result of a Russian airstrike that targeted civilian…

Summary

Published
11 August 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
5–11
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

11 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4007

Location

كفرنبل, Kafar Nabl, Idlib, Syria
Five civilians from the same family were reported injured in an alleged Russian or Syrian airstrike or artillery shelling on Kafar Nabl, Idlib, on August 11th which was the first day of Eid Al-Adha. While an initial report stated that one woman was injured in the airstrike, all later sources indicated that the figure had…

Summary

Published
11 August 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported injured
1–5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

11 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4004

Location

حيش, Heesh, Idlib, Syria
A source reported that one child was injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Heesh, Idlib governorate, on August 11t, 2019. Edlib Media Center stated that "a child was injured when Russian warplanes targeted Heesh town, south of Idlib, with rockets." @baladinetwork also reported Russian airstrikes but did not mention civilian casualties. Hence, while the strike…

Summary

Published
11 August 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident