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

28 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3973

Location

أريحا, Ariha, Idlib, Syria
At least four men were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Ariha, Idlib governorate, on July 28th, 2019, according to local sources. 18 others were reported injured. Although Ariha Today initially cited three civilians killed, the same source later named four fatalities, all of whom were men. Smart News Agency…

Summary

Published
28 July 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
4–5
Civilians reported injured
18
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

28 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3970

Location

تحتايا, Tahtaya, Idlib, Syria
Two men were reportedly injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Tahtaya, Idlib governorate, on July 28th, 2019, according to local sources. Idlib Plus reported that "two men were wounded because of the targeting of the town of Tahtaya by a Russian airstrike." @alahmed_nasser tweeted: "The War Air Force launches raids on the…

Summary

Published
28 July 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

28 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3974

Location

معرشورين, Ma’arshurin, Idlib, Syria
One civilian was killed in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes or artillery on Ma'arshurin in Idlib on July 28th, 2019 according to local sources. The victim was named as Murad Abdul Kafi Al Hariri, originally from Talmens town. While Ma’az Al Hamed posted that the victim was killed on the outskirts of Talmens…

Summary

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

Incident Date

28 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3971

Location

كفر زيتا القريبة, Vicinity of Kafar Zeita, Hama, Syria
Two women and a man were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Mazra’et Al Tanour near the cities of Al Latamina and Kafar Zeita in Hama governorate, on July 28th, 2019, according to local sources. An unknown number of other civilians was reported injured. The Syrian Human Rights Committee wrote that "two…

Summary

Published
28 July 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Agriculture (Agricultural Land)
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

27 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3964

Location

تلة الخضر, Telt Al Khouder, Latakia, Syria
A single source reported that two civilians were killed and that two others were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Telt Al Khouder, Latakia governorate, on July 27th, 2019. Smart News Agency documented "two killed and two wounded by the shelling of Russian warplanes on Tel Al Khouder north of Latakia." Currently, further information is…

Summary

Published
27 July 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
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

27 July 2019

Incident Code

RS3965

Location

الحلوبة, Al Halouba, Idlib, Syria
A child was killed in alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime airstrikes on the village of Al Halouba, Idlib governorate, on July 27th, 2019, according to local sources. Edlib Media Center reported "the death of a child and the injury of a child as a result of an airstrike by the military regime on the town…

Summary

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