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

29 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3976

Location

اللطامنة, Al-Lataminah, Hama, Syria
Five civilians, including at least one child and two women, from the same family were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Al-Lataminah in the northern Hama countryside on the evening of July 26th, 2019, according to local sources. Up to four others were reported injured. The Syrian Network for…

Summary

Published
29 July 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
2–4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

29 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3977

Location

لطمين, Latmeen, Hama, Syria
Two civilians were killed while working on farmland when helicopters dropped explosive barrels on the village of Latmeen, according to local sources. Other civilians were also reported injured in the incident. @abo_aljod84 said the two victims are originally from Al Latamneh, and they were named by Justice Organisation as Mohammed Naser Al Hasan Mohammed and…

Summary

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

Incident Date

29 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3978

Location

معرة النعمان, Ma’aret Al Nu’man, Idlib, Syria
One or two alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on a popular market in Ma’aret Al Nu’man killed five civilians, including an elderly man, and wounded about 30. The market was struck with rockets in the evening, according to local sources. According to Al Araby, "A source from the Civil Defense told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that…

Summary

Published
29 July 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
15–30
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

29 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3979

Location

بلدات متعددة في أدلب, several town in Idlib, Idlib, Syria
An unknown number of civilians was wounded in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on several towns and cities in Idlib governorate on July 29th, 2019, according to a single source. Shaam News Network reported that warplanes and helicopters believed to belong to Russian and Syrian regime forces allegedly conducted airstrikes on a number of…

Summary

Published
29 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

29 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3975

Location

كفرزيتا, Kafar Zeita, Hama, Syria
Up to seven civilians, including a woman and a Syrian Civil Defence volunteer, were reported killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes and/or artillery on Kafr Zeita on the morning of July 29th. Initial reports claimed two civilians were killed, including a woman and a volunteer for the Syrian Civil Defense. According to local…

Summary

Published
29 July 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
4–7
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

28 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3972

Location

اللطامنة, Al-Lataminah, Hama, Syria
Up to three civilians, including a child, were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Al-Lataminah, Hama governorate, on July 28th, 2019, according to local sources. Smart News Agency reported "three wounded in bombing of Russian warplanes on the vicinity of the city of Al-Lataminah north of Hama". Manahi Al…

Summary

Published
28 July 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
1–3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident