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

1 August 2019

Incident Code

RS3989

Location

اللطامنة, Al-Lataminah, Hama, Syria
One civilian was reported killed and others injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes or artillery strikes on Al-Lataminah, Hama, on August 1st, 2019. Some local sources said that barrel bombs were used in the attack. @civil_hama tweeted "the targeting of the civil defense team in the city of Al-Lataminah with an airstrike by…

Summary

Published
1 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

31 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3984

Location

كفرزيبا, Kafar Zeiba, Idlib, Syria
Two children were killed and up to seven civilians, including at least one woman, were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the village of Kafar Zeiba, Idlib governorate, on July 31st, 2019, according to local sources. Al Araby wrote: "The bombing of the village of Kafar Zeiba, near the city of Ariha,…

Summary

Published
31 July 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
1–7
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

30 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3980

Location

جبالا, Jbala, Idlib, Syria
Local sources reported that Russian forces shelled the town of Jbala in Idlib governorate on July 30th, 2019, wounding an unknown number of civilians. @MasarPressNet tweeted that "civilians were wounded as a result of Russian warplanes bombing on the outskirts of the town of Jabala in the southern countryside." Edlib Media Centre and @Stepp_Agency also…

Summary

Published
30 July 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

30 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3981

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Ma'arat al-Numan, Syria
Local sources reported that an unknown number of civilians were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes, which targeted residential neighbourhoods in the city of Khan Sheikhoun in Idlib countryside around 12:30 PM on July 30th, 2019. Step Agency wrote that "the Russian air force targeted several airstrikes in Khan [Sheikhoun], Moka and Jbala villages in the southern…

Summary

Published
30 July 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

30 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3982

Location

موقا, Mouqa, Idlib, Syria
Local sources reported that an unknown number of civilians were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Mouqa, Idlib governorate, on July 30th, 2019. @Step_Agency reported that "Russian warplanes targeted the town of Mouqa in the southern countryside of Idlib" @Syrian191124 tweeted: "Helicopters targeted with barrel bombs the vicinity of the village of…

Summary

Published
30 July 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

30 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3983

Location

سراقب, Saraqib, Idlib, Syria
Two civilian males were reportedly injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on a market in the city of Saraqib, Idlib governorate, on July 30th, 2019, according to local sources. A @jisirtv correspondent reported: "Two civilians were injured as a result of the airstrike on the city of Saraqib a short while ago"." Edlib…

Summary

Published
30 July 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident