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

8 August 2019

Incident Code

RS3999

Location

لطمين, Latmeen, Hama, Syria
One civilian was reported killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Latmeen, Hama governorate, on August 8th, according to local sources. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights documented "the death of a civilian in Russian airstrikes targeted the vicinity of Latmeen village in the northern countryside of Hama." @ZaitunAgency reported "the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

7 August 2019

Incident Code

RS3996

Location

راشا, جبل شحشبو, Rasha village, Jabal Shashbou, Hama, Syria
Five men were reported killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime air and/or artillery strikes on the headquarters of the monitoring unit team of the Al Naser Army in the village of Rasha in Jabal Shashabou, Hama governorate, on August 7th, 2019, according to local sources. It is unclear if the men were directly participating…

Summary

Published
7 August 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
0–5
Civilians reported injured
0–2
Military actors reported killed
0–5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

6 August 2019

Incident Code

RS3993

Location

مزرعة كفرطاب خان شيخون, Kafar Tab farm, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria
Up to eight civilians, most of them from the same family, were reported killed, and a further three to four others were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian airstrikes or artillery shelling on their farm in Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, in the afternoon of August 6th, 2019. The victims were pistachio workers, as local sources said.…

Summary

Published
6 August 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Infrastructure
Agriculture, Residential (House)
Civilians reported killed
4–8
Civilians reported injured
3–4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

6 August 2019

Incident Code

RS3994

Location

لطمين, Latmeen, Hama, Syria
Three civilians were reportedly killed and three others injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Latmeen, Hama governorate, on August 6th, 2019, according to local sources. One source reported civilian deaths in Latmeen. According to Baladi News, "three [civilians] were killed in a Russian bombardment on the town of Latmeen in the northern…

Summary

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

Incident Date

6 August 2019

Incident Code

RS3992

Location

Several towns in Hama, Hama, Syria
A single source reported an unknown number of civilian casualties as the result of alleged Russian air and artillery strikes on several cities and towns in Hama governorate on August 6th, 2019. Shaam News Network reported that "Russian warplanes and helicopters launched dozens of airstrikes accompanied by fierce rocket and artillery shelling that targeted the…

Summary

Published
6 August 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
5–10
Civilians reported injured
5–10
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

6 August 2019

Incident Code

RS3995

Location

بلدات متعددة في ادلب, Several towns in Idlib, Idlib, Syria
A single source reported an unknown number of injured civilians as the result of alleged Russian and Syrian regime air and artillery strikes on several cities and towns in Idlib governorate on August 6th, 2019. Shaam News Network reported that "Russian and regime warplanes and helicopters launched dozens of airstrikes accompanied by fierce rocket and…

Summary

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