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

11 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4008

Location

بلدات متعددة في ادلب, Several towns in Idlib, Idlib, Syria
A single source reported that alleged Russian and Syrian regime warplanes and helicopters launched airstrikes on several cities and towns in Idlib on August 11th, 2019, leading to "many wounded", including children. Shaam News Network reported an unspecified "many wounded, including children, due to raids, artillery and rocket shelling on the cities and towns of…

Summary

Published
11 August 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
5–10
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

10 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4001

Location

التمانعة, Al Tamana'a, Idlib, Syria
One civilian male was reported killed and 17 others, including 11 children, were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Al Tamana'a, Idlib governorate, on August 10th, according to local sources. Baladi News stated that "the raids caused the martyrdom of one civilian as a preliminary outcome, and wounded 17 others, including 11…

Summary

Published
10 August 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Agriculture
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
17
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

10 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4002

Location

موقا, Mouqa, Idlib, Syria
One civilian was reported killed by alleged Russian or Syrian regime shelling in Mouqa, Idlib governorate, on August 10th, 2019, according to local sources. Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that "Ahmad Mohammad al Sourani was killed in shelling by Syrian regime forces missiles launcher on Mouqa village in the southern suburbs of Idlib governorate,…

Summary

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

Incident Date

9 August 2019

Incident Code

RS4000

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Ma'arat al-Numan, Syria
Two civilians were reported killed and three others injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, on August 9th, 2019. Baladi News stated that "a civilian was killed and another was injured on Friday due to warplanes' shelling the perimeter of Khan Sheikhoun city in the southern countryside of Idlib." According…

Summary

Published
9 August 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Infrastructure
Agriculture
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

8 August 2019

Incident Code

RS3997

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Ma'arat al-Numan, Syria
Three civilian men were reported killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib governorate, on August 8th, 2019, according to local sources. An unknown number of others were injured. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that "a civilian was killed, and others were injured, due to aerial bombardment by Russian planes…

Summary

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

Incident Date

8 August 2019

Incident Code

RS3998

Location

اللطامنة, Al-Lataminah, Hama, Syria
One civilian was reported killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Al-Lataminah, Hama governorate, on August 8th, 2019, according to local sources. An unknown number of others was injured. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that "Mounqeth Shaker Al Ahmad was killed as Syrian regime warplanes fired missiles on the agricultural lands…

Summary

Published
8 August 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident