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

5–6 August, 2019

Incident Code

RS3991

Location

مورك, Morek, Hama, Syria
Up to five civilians, most of them from the same family, were reported killed and several others injured in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes or artillery shelling  on Morek in Idlib, Syria during the night of August 5/6th, 2019. Syrian Network for Human Rights also reported "at least 4 civilians, most of them…

Summary

Published
6 August 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
3–5
Civilians reported injured
1–30
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

2 August 2019

Incident Code

RS3990

Location

كفر زيتا, Kfar Zeita, Hama, Syria
One civilian was reported injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime artillery strikes on the area of Kfar Zeita, Hama governorate, on August 2nd, 2019, according to local sources. @IdlibPlus tweeted that "a civilian was injured as a result of the targeting of regime forces by the city of Kfar Zeita in the northern suburbs…

Summary

Published
2 August 2019
Strike Type
Artillery
Civilians reported injured
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

1 August 2019

Incident Code

RS3985

Location

لطمين, Latmeen, Hama, Syria
One civilian was reported killed in airstrikes on Latmeen, Hama, on August 1st. Syrian Network for Human Rights stated that "Ahmad Mohammad Abo Zaid, from Helfya city in the northwestern suburbs of Hama governorate, was killed as Syrian regime warplanes fired a missile on Latmeen village in the northern suburbs of Hama governorate, on August…

Summary

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

Incident Date

1 August 2019

Incident Code

RS3986

Location

كفر نبل, Kafar Nubul, Idlib, Syria
One woman was reported killed and four to six civilians including two children injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes or artillery on Kafar Nubul, Idlib, on August 1st, 2019. Out of the injured, four belonged to one family. It was reported that Kafar Nubul was struck with two raids on that day. The…

Summary

Published
1 August 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Infrastructure
Residential, Education
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
4–6
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

1 August 2019

Incident Code

RS3987

Location

مورك, Morek, Hama, Syria
One civilian was reported killed and up to three civilians were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Morek, Hama, on August 1st, 2019, according to local sources. @IdlibPlus tweeted that "a civilian was killed as a result of the targeting of Russian warplanes by the city of Morek in the northern suburbs…

Summary

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

Incident Date

1 August 2019

Incident Code

RS3988

Location

كفر زيتا, Kfar Zeita, Hama, Syria
Three civilians were reportedly injured in alleged Russian air or artillery strikes on Kfar Zeita after midnight on August 1st, 2019. While multiple sources reported the strikes, only the Syrian Civil Defence reported civilian casualties. The Syrian Civil Defence in Hama (@civil_hama) reported that three civilians were injured as a result of airstrikes by Russian aircraft…

Summary

Published
1 August 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported injured
3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident